Is Your School Ready for Life After ESSER?

School systems across the U.S. have received billions of dollars in Federal funds through the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Grant Program—but in 2024, the program is scheduled to end. Officially designated to support pandemic-related needs, ESSER Funds were rolled out with little guidance initially due to the nature of the pandemic and the immediate need for funds to open schools safely. As a result, they became fair game for any programs or resources that could be used to prevent, prepare for, and/or respond to COVID-19. Because the funds were essentially exempt from the Supplement, Not Supplant provision that prohibits Federal funds from being used to replace state, local, or agency funds, many school systems came to rely on them. Schools shifted funding sources as needed to ensure they had all necessary structures in place to keep students in school and address learning gaps from school closures—and the funds were very helpful in doing just that. Now, many schools are struggling to figure out how they can continue to support the programs their students have come to rely on, even in the absence of ESSER funds.

ESSER funds have been used for activities and strategies ranging from simple janitorial supply purchases to extensive software solutions, devices, and equipment. They have even been used to hire teachers, instructional coaches and other staff members, to help overcome learning losses. The funds were released in phases, and with each phase, the Federal government began to implement more guidance on how funds were used. Obligation deadlines were rolled out in phases as well, and the final obligation deadlines are approaching in the last quarter of 2024. Some school systems will be losing millions of dollars because they were not able to meet Federal deadlines or grant requirements—and others will lose funding simply because the ESSER program is ending. Faced with these losses, school systems must make difficult choices about which programs they can sustain, and which may need to be retired. No school wants to lay off staff, reduce technology spending, or stop supporting strategies that are working. So, how can schools determine what to keep, where to cut, and how to make the best decisions for their students and staff?

Here are 10 steps school systems can take to determine which expenses are most essential, identify those that are unnecessary, reduce recurring costs, and move forward with a strong budget after ESSER expires.

Are there technology subscriptions that are not being used? Resources that have run their course? Search for unnecessary costs and remove them from your budget.