Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 11/6/2020 - 7:00 PM
Category: Financial Services
Type: Info
Subject: CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF)
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment
ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence
ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.
Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support
ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning.
Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation
ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments.
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Policy: DA - Management of Funds
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
201106_Brief_CARES_Act_CRF_v1.pdf
201106_Att1_VDOE_Supt_Memo_273-20_(CRF).pdf
201106_Att2_VDOE_CARES_Act_CRF_FAQ.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: An additional $2,817,833 from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) was released to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) on October 9, 2020. Funding was allocated at $175/pupil. There is no private school equitable services requirement associated with school division use of CRF, as well no funds supplanting prohibition in spending CRF. These CRF dollars must be spent or obligated by December 30, 2020. Any funds not expended by the deadline must be returned to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Qualifying expenses include:
●Testing Supplies
●Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
●Facility Cleaning and Sanitization
●Technology to Support Distance Learning
●Staffing
●Capital Facility Upgrades
●Pupil Transportation
●Emphasize Special Student Populations

To ensure ACPS fully utilizes the CRF dollars in a manner that will best benefit the school division, the funds have been added to the overall financial strategy for FY 2021 and beyond. With these funds having an expiration date of December 30, 2020, they will be used to support the technology infrastructure, and learning kit investments to support the Virtual+ environment. This strategy will exhaust the CRF dollars by the deadline, while making available other funding sources to support future reopening plans.
Background: On October 9, 2020 Governor Northam approved $220.8 million in awards from the federal CRF to each school division and other local education agencies. CRF were provided to states under the CARES Act, and a portion is being made available directly to school divisions to help cover costs in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These CRF awards are intended for costs incurred related to COVID-19 in reopening and operating public schools during the first months of the 2020-2021 school year, but can be used for qualifying costs back to March 1, 2020.
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the contents of this memo and attachments.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent