LGISD Staffers Getting Bonus From COVID Funds

The LGISD board Monday approved a one-time stipend for all full-time employees hired by Sept. 1, 2020 and still employed on May 17, 2021 in the amount of $1,000 and employees hired after Sept. 1, 2020 but still employed on May 17, 2021 in the amount of $500. In addition, all substitute teachers who worked the equivalent of 20 school days during the 2020-2021 school year are to receive a $500 stipend. The funding for this stipend will be the ESSER III funds that the district has been notified it will receive.

ESSER Funds Notification

La Grange ISD has been notified by the Texas Education Agency that the district will re ceive funds from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. This funding is part of a federal program of the Coronavirus Relief Funds that was directed as supplemental funding to Texas public schools. There are three parts to the funding:

1. ESSER I – CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security)

2. ESSER II – CRRSA Act (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations)

3. ESSER III – ARP Act (American Rescue Plan)

Overall, the state of Texas received $1.3 billion in ESSER I funds, $5.5 billion in ESSER II funds, and $12.4 billion in ESSER III funds. La Grange has received $249,654 I ESSER I funds. These funds have been deemed supplant funds (replacing other funding that would normally come to the district. ESSER II funds are still pending. The district will receive $2,788,550 is allocated funds for ESSER III. These ESSER III funds will be supplemental (additional.) The ESSER funds are to be used to respond to the pandemic caused by the coronavirus and the impact it has had on student learning.

These relief funds are a significant financial boost to the district. There are many areas where these funds can be used. The district will follow guidelines provided by the state to access these funds as needed. The district has until Sept. 30, 2024 to access these funds.