Overview
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed on March 27, 2020 and included three funding programs benefiting Vermont’s education system: ESSER I, GEER I & CRF. In total, Vermont K-12 public, independent and Career Technical Education centers received over $140,000,000 in relief funds.
ESSER I Funds
The CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, created the $30.75 billion Education Stabilization Fund (ESF). This fund provides $13.5 billion in pandemic relief aid for K-12 schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER I) Fund. The state of Vermont received approximately $31 million in ESSER I funds, of which 10% or $3,114,836 was set aside for AOE to develop state-wide approaches to help education entities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GEER I
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed on March 27, 2020, the Governor’s office received $4,488,802 through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund. The Governor’s office determined that it would use the funds to support regional career technical education (CTE) centers across the state.
CRF
In late June 2020, the Vermont General Assembly passed a host of bills tied to the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) that were subsequently signed into law as Act 120. On October 2, 2020 Act 154 significantly increased the amount of funding for preK-12 schools and added an additional grant program. Through five different programs (School and Indoor Air Quality Grant Program, Summer Food Service Program, Approved Independent Schools grant, LEA grant and the Child Nutrition Equipment grant) the AOE will administer CRF funds totaling approximately $103 million for which all eligible costs must be incurred prior to December 30, 2020.
Archived Guidance
The below guidance related to the CARES Act has been archived for reference.
CARES Act Discussion and Considerations for LEAs (Updated Dec. 16, 2020)
CARES Act: Considerations for Vermont's Approved Independent Schools (Sept. 2, 2020)