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Okemah Public Schools ARP-ESSER III Use of Funds

Okemah Public Schools                                                                                                                                                       ARP ESSER III Funds ---Revised Aug. 2023

The ESSER3 Consultation Team held a Use of Funds public meeting in August 2023 to engage with stakeholders and give the public an opportunity to provide input. The team consisted of parents/guardians, school and district administrators, teachers, support staff, principals, school leaders, staff and union representatives, and tribal members. The remaining $326,794.05 will be used to implement prevention and mitigation strategies that are, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the most recent CDC guidance on reopening schools, in order to continuously and safely open and operate schools for in-person learning. Okemah Public Schools will use the funding as follows:

Okemah Public Schools will use the 100% of the remaining funds reserved under section 2001(e)(1) of the ARP ($396,528.27) to address learning loss:

  • OPS plans to use the remaining funds to address learning loss by retaining two certified teachers who serve as reading interventionists. Data show that our students have a marked learning deficit in reading and reading comprehension. We have previously employed a reading interventionist and were pleased with the results. We would like to expand the program to address the needs of more students. *accomplished SY 22-23;  continuing SY 23-24
  • OPS plans to use the remaining funds to pay salaries and benefits for additional special education paraprofessionals to assist special needs students with learning loss and remediation. *started SY 21-22, continuing SY 22-23; continuing SY 23-24
  • OPS has hired a certified administrator to serve as the Director of Student Services whose primary focus is to identify and support students most at-risk due to poor attendance, learning concerns, behavioral issues, etc. *accomplished SY 22-23; continuing SY 23-24
  • OPS has hired an academic coach to work with middle school students who are struggling academically *accomplished SY 22-23; continuing SY 23-24

 

 

 

 

This is the plan for how Okemah Public Schools plans to use the ARP ESSER III Funds. The guidelines from the Oklahoma Department of Education outline 15 possible ways these funds may be spent. To find out more information about these guidelines, you may visit the Oklahoma Department of Education’s website or read this document. If you have any questions or would like to comment about this plan, please email media@okemahk12.com or aduncan@okemahk12.com.