I agree it was a necessary evil to borrow all that money to keep the economy on life support until we were able to open everything back up.
But most of the cities controlled by Democrats kept everything closed down. And a lot of the money that was supposed to go to making schools safer with new ventilation systems. But not many improvements have been made to date. And what happens when the time runs out? So where is the money?
This report describes implementation of ventilation improvement strategies by K-12 public schools to reduce school transmission of COVID-19.
www.cdc.gov
Substantial federal funding remains available for ventilation improvements in school buildings that have been shown to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission¶¶ (
4). Such improvements are part of a multicomponent approach to enhancing the school environment and could have benefits for COVID-19 and other airborne infectious disease prevention.
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
To reduce school transmission of SARS-CoV-2, K–12 public school districts implemented ventilation improvements (replacing or upgrading ventilation systems, installing filtration systems, installing ultraviolet germicidal irradiation devices, or improving airflow). Federal funding remains available for ventilation upgrades.
What is added by this report?
None of the ventilation strategies examined was reported by >51% of school districts. Implementation of ventilation improvements varied by school district U.S. Census Bureau region, geographic locale, and poverty level. High-poverty school districts reported implementation of the highest percentage of strategies.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Many public school districts have not taken steps to improve school building ventilation. Equitable access and support might be needed to assist school districts in their efforts to prevent respiratory infections through ventilation improvements.
What Ventilation Upgrade Funds Are Available for Schools?
Governed by the federal Office of Elementary & Secondary Education,
the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds have comprised the following:
ESSER I
As part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020, $13.2 billion was allotted to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Fund “to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation.” The last day to obligate these funds (i.e., legally commit) was September 30, 2022.
ESSER II
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, signed in December 2020, included another $54.3 billion for schools. The last day to obligate these funds is September 30, 2023.
ESSER III
Signed into law in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act added another $122 billion in funds “to help safely reopen and sustain the same operation of schools and address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Nation’s students.” The last day to obligate these funds is September 30, 2024.
According to
Afterschool Alliance, “While the Congressional Budget Office estimates that ESSER outlays will extend through 2028, updated [U.S. Dept. of Education] guidance requests that ESSER 3 funds be liquidated within 120 days after Sept 30, 2024.”
It’s important to remember that timelines are critical for allocation and spending deadlines—many funds are use-it-or-lose-it, and much of the money has yet to be spent. While estimates reveal that ESSER funds are being spent at a pace of $5 billion per month, as of February 2023, only 66% of ESSER II funds and 25% of ESSR III funds have been used.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government allocated significant funds toward upgrading schools and other public buildings to improve ventilation and indoor air quality. Beyond tackling the ...
www.systemair.com
What does it mean to liquidate the funds within 120 days after Spt 30,2024? Where does the money go?
Follow the money.
