SCHOOL FUNDING: ESSER money had ‘curious’ effect

In 2020-2022, the Federal Government distributed $190 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds as part of the CARES act to offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each state received a pot of money and distributed it to each school district within their state. Coeur d’Alene School District received $21.6 million. These dollars were to be spent by the school district to develop a remote (online) teaching syllabus for all grades impacted and to purchase Chromebook laptops for students that did not have access to a computer at home.

Well, it seems many school districts had what they considered leftover funds so they spent the excess ESSER funds for other non-pandemic related items from their wish list; Such items as additional administrative staff, extra-curricular activities and sports related equipment.

Now when the ESSER funds were gone; the various school districts nationwide started coming to their taxpayers with hat-in-hand pleading for more money to keep their ill-gotten additional staff, activities and other items that they can no longer afford within their current budget.

Does this at all seem familiar to you? It sure does to me. I am not saying this happened here — but it is curious.

DENNIS EDELBROCK

Hayden