Dear Putnam Valley Community:
The Putnam Valley School District anticipates receiving federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP-ESSR) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA).
As the district awaits the approval of our applications, we are beginning the next phase of our implementation. This phase includes collecting additional input from our stakeholders regarding how the district should allocate these federal funds.
Federal emergency resources are available for a wide range of spending to address diverse needs arising from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and also to support schools in emerging stronger post-pandemic.
These funds are available for reimbursement via an application process that will retroactively cover expenses beginning March 13, 2020, as well as anticipated expenses through the end of September 2023. This limited window of opportunity makes it vital that these funds are expended in a way that addresses our immediate needs in the areas of learning and social emotional needs of our students, curriculum development, and professional learning. At the same time, we hope the investments we make now in these areas will provide long-term benefits to the district. Additionally, remodeling projects provide opportunities for one-time expenditures that will enhance the health and safety of our buildings, along with the creation of outdoor learning spaces and other infrastructure needs without incurring long-term debt.
Overview
- The District’s initial application to access available funds was kept as general as possible in order to provide the greatest flexibility in how these funds are allocated over the next three years.
- We have received approval to begin accessing the first phase of these reimbursements, such as summer recovery and enrichment programs, ENL support, water filtration system upgrades, upgrading the former elementary school modular classroom, the addition of a school nurse, summer 2021 professional development, and cleaning equipment. We are still awaiting approval for remaining available funds.
- Stimulus funds received and associated expenses incurred cannot become part of the general operating budget.
- Funds are short-term, through September 2023, and are not intended to sustain typical budgetary expenditures and are not intended to reduce the tax levy.
- Projects, repairs, supplies etc. are always subjected to the same procurement process required by the NYS Education Department that were in place pre-COVID. Guidance, regulations, and requirements set by the NYS Education Department remain in effect and unchanged.
- These funds are not contingent upon any public health, vaccine, or any specific curriculum mandates.
- The District will be reimbursed only after expenses are approved and incurred.
The district has provided a broad range of potential expenditures as part of our application process. We welcome and value your input on how you would prioritize the district’s needs.
The below survey is broken down by funding categories and includes a brief explanation. Please use the survey below to provide your feedback on how these federal stimulus funds could best benefit the district.
Stimulus Funding Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/pZJ8i92JPejwtXEXA
Thank you.
Dr. Jeremy Luft
Superintendent of Schools