Esser Funding that is Yours for the Taking!

As you head into the spring semester and begin planning for the summer and school year to come, do you have supply and instructional needs that your current music budget can’t meet? Have you considered checking in on ESSER funding in your school district to see whether these funds can assist your program? Yes—I’m referring to those ESSER funds, the stimulus dollars provided by the federal government to support K–12 schools through the pandemic. The last stimulus bill to include ESSER funding (ESSER III) was the American Rescue Plan, signed into law on March 11, 2021. While the law and the pandemic may both feel like they are in the distant past, ESSER funding is still available in our nation’s schools through September 30, 2024, and you may be able to use some of these funds to support your students and orchestra programs this year, this summer, and next.

Here are some myths that you might hold about the funds—and tools to help you access these funding resources for your K–12 program:

My School Already Has Its ESSER Plan in Place. No More Funds Are Available

While it might be true that your school district has its ESSER plan in place, almost 100 percent of all participating districts will create amendments to make changes to those plans. Sometimes what was planned can’t happen (the supplies or personnel aren’t available), or sometimes things cost less (as inflation has slowed). Every time a district creates a federal funding plan, they can amend that plan and make changes. And that’s an opportunity for you to go in and ask for funds to benefit your students and program.

My District Says the Funds Can’t Be Used to Support Music Education, Only Interventions and Other Title I Traditional Programs

Your district can certainly focus its use of ESSER funding on interventions and other post-pandemic needs, but they are incorrect if they are telling you that the funds cannot be spent on music and arts education. There are fifteen fundable activities under ESSER, including “Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in local educational agencies and continuing to employ existing staff of the local educational agency.” A local education agency is a school district and music education is part of the continuity of services and programs offered by a school district. Music education is a viable fundable activity for ESSER.

“ While the law and the pandemic may both feel like they are in the distant past, ESSER funding is still available in our nation’s schools through September 30, 2024, and you may be able to use some of these funds to support your students and orchestra programs this year, this summer, and next. ”

I Don’t Know of Any String Programs That Have Benefited From ESSER Funding

Thanks to the amazing advocacy and proactive planning work of several ASTA members, we have wonderful stories of how string programs and orchestras have benefited from ESSER over the past several years.

Creston Herron, former music supervisor for Kline ISD in Texas, was able to use ESSER funding to provide technology improvements for all music classrooms in his K–12 school district. Creston created a technology plan for music and the arts, and then partnered with his federal programs colleague to get the plan funded in part by ESSER. Funds from ESSER also supported the teachers learning how to use the music tech in their classrooms.

Monquez Ford, an orchestra teacher in Natchez, Mississippi, used ESSER funds to purchase an entire classroom set of string instruments for his orchestra program at a Title I school. Students did not have the funds to rent instruments, so many were not able to participate in the orchestra program. By providing instruments through the school, Monquez was able to create opportunities for all students and increase the number of students participating in the program over the past two years.

OK. So, If Music Education Can Be Funded, and There Are Success Stories I Can Share With My Administrators, How Do I Ask for These Funds?

Use of ESSER funds is determined by the school district. If you are fortunate to work in a district with a music supervisor or district arts coordinator, reach out to them to see whether they are active in planning for the use of ESSER funds. They can help determine needs across the district for music programs and coordinate with their federal program colleagues at the school district on funding changes and amendments.

If you do not have a music supervisor, you can begin with a discussion with your building principal. Do they know the status of ESSER funding for the district? Would they support your request for funds to help build your program? How would ESSER funds create more opportunities, and more equitable opportunities, for students in your school and music program? They can be a great ally and support for you in this kind of request.

What Happens If I Ask, and I Don’t Get Any Funds?

That can certainly happen, as the school district will be making changes to their ESSER plan based on the overall needs of the school district, not just the needs of string teachers. But building a smart request may help you access other funds available—including state and local funding sources. Or your request may be added to the list of requests for the next amendment—as the district may continue amending their ESSER plan right up through this summer and early fall prior to the September 30 deadline.

Where Can I Learn More?

ASTA has a few e-learning webinars that might also be great resources.

1. Advocacy on the Road: ASTA at NAMM! You can access our website under the EVENTS tab and search PAST EVENTS.

   

2. Building String Programs with Stimulus Funding. You can access this webinar from 2021 using the following link: https://youtu.be/lC7bSZB7_5Q

   

On our advocacy webpage, we also have a toolkit for string educators about ESSER. Go to the GET INVOLVED tab and select ADVOCATE FOR STRINGS.

We encourage you to seek out these funds before it is too late! Use these tools to support your teaching, your programs, and your students.