Now accepting comments on the 2020-21 Kentucky ARP ESSER plan. Deadline June 3, 2021.By Jacob Perkins
Jacob.perkins@education.ky.gov

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is accepting public comments on the state’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (APR ESSER) plan.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – which included more than $2 billion for Kentucky public schools – authorized a third ESSER Fund, ARP ESSER.

Kentucky has received two-thirds of its ARP ESSER funds, with the remaining money set to be released upon approval of the state plan, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) by June 7.

Within the plan, KDE describes the state’s current status and needs, assesses the top issues facing students and schools, as well as describes how the department plans to support districts in identifying the extent of COVID-19’s impact on student learning and well-being.

The state plan request can be publicly accessed online. Public comments must be received by 5 p.m. ET June 3. Comments may be emailed to kdecommunications@education.ky.gov or submitted to Todd Allen, General Counsel, Kentucky Department of Education, 300 Sower Blvd, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. Comments also may be submitted via fax at (502) 564-9321.

All comments received by the deadline will be considered before the submission of the revised state plan. 

Email Kelly Foster, KDE’s associate commissioner in the Office of Continuous Improvement and Support, if you need an accessible version of the state plan.