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American Rescue Plan (ARP)

American Rescue Plan Elmira City School District
Congress has provided financial support for districts and schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund to address the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April of 2021, the New York State passed its budget which includes more than $20-million-dollars for the Elmira City School District.

We have a great opportunity to make sustainable investments that support our students of Elmira in significant ways.

View the Elmira City School District American Rescue Plan


What is the American Rescue Plan?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession.

What are the ESSER Funds?

The ARP ESSER Fund, authorized under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, will assist local educational agencies, and more directly schools, in supporting students who have been most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to have suffered the most because of longstanding inequities in their communities and schools, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vision and Five Areas of Focus

As part of the federal government’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, school districts across the country will receive additional funding to support student need in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Elmira City School District will receive an allocation of almost $21.5 million to invest in our students’ education over the next three years. This is a once in a generation infusion of funds that gives us the opportunity to truly reimagine education in our District. As part of a process of comprehensive planning and stakeholder engagement, the ECSD will use ARP funds to support the District's 5 key strategic priorities.

ARP Funding Priorities for the ECSD include:

1. Afterschool, Summer and Academic Learning Loss Programs (including Special Education)
Examples include: ARCADE, APEX, ESAP, IAL, Music/Art/PE Teachers, Aide Support on Buses, Summer BOOST, Tutoring, English/Math Teachers, Teaching Assistants, DCCs, PINE >>Click here to learn more

2. Social and Emotional Learning
Examples include: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Glovehouse, CASA Trinity, Family Services Social Workers, Family Community Outreach Coordinators, Hope Squad, School Based Mental Health Counseling, Grief and Loss Counseling, Children’s Integrated Services, YAP. >>Click here to learn more

3. Health and Safety
Examples include: Health and Safety Coordinator, Nurse Practitioner, COVID testing staff, Backpack Sprayers, Hand Sanitizer Stations, Cleaning Supplies, PPE.
>>Click here to learn more.

4. Technology
Examples include: 1:1 Devices, VideoConference Cameras, Promethean ActivPanels, Panel Micro PC, Educational Software. >>Click here to learn more.

5. Facilities
Examples include: HVAC, Touchless Fixtures in Bathrooms/Classrooms, Bottle Filling Stations, Outdoor Learning Spaces. >>Click here to learn more.


The Elmira City School District has constructed a team to manage the American Rescue Plan ESSER Fund. As a recipient of these funds, the District will follow all protocols outlined in the state plan and do so with ongoing stakeholder engagement.

Our Planning Team

Derek Almy, Director of Student Services
Hillary J. Austin, Superintendent of Schools
Sara Courson, Education Grant Specialist
Jay Hillman, Director of Educational Services
Joe Magliocca, Director of Facilities
Stacy McCauley, Grants Supervisor
Melissa Mendolera, District Business Officer
Josh Miller, Director of Technology
Jake Sheehan, Director of Administration
Stakeholder Engagement and Input
Please note: Stakeholder Engagement is a regular and proactive part of our planning. See STAKEHOLDER INPUT AND DATA for community input and data that was collected as a way to help inform our planning efforts.

Soliciting and incorporating public input into our ARP ESSER plan is required by NYSED. We are seeking stakeholder input throughout our planning process through surveys, meetings with community agencies and ongoing presentations.

Planning Timeline

Project Period: 3/13/20 – 9/30/24
Planning Period 5/05/21-6/30/21

Step 1: Discovery Phase, including Stakeholder Input and Review of Plan
Step 2: Budget Allocation Planning
Step 3: Program Planning and Implementation
Step 4: Measure for Success (ongoing)