Graham ISD approves over $1 million in purchases using ESSER III funding

The Graham ISD Board of Trustees approved the use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ESSER III) funding for over $1 million in purchases during their meeting Wednesday. The ESSER III program is intended to help schools safely reopen and remain open in a safe manner while addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students.

Under the federal American Rescue Plan Act through the ESSER III fund, GISD is eligible for $3,773,728, with about $2.5 million to be used over a three-year period until Sept. 30, 2023. The district will receive $2.5 million immediately once the application due July 27 is completed with the final $1.2 million being distributed based on a ruling by the U.S. Department of Education.

The board approved the funding of replacement Promethean Smart Boards for $440,000, the purchase of Chromebooks for $497,000, the purchase of the NWEA-MAP and Edgenuity MyPath programs for a first year cost of $68,010 with subsequent years costing $53,335, the purchase of a new iMac computers for the Graham High School Digital Graphics Lab at a cost of $42,000 and a GHS PC computer lab at a cost of $25,000.

For the rest of the story, see the June 12 edition of The Graham Leader.