School District outlines spending plan for nearly $800 million in pandemic recovery funds

The Clark County School District will spend hundreds of millions of dollars in federal pandemic recovery funds on projects ranging from teacher bonuses to new science curriculum to mental health services with hopes of accelerating student learning.

CCSD received $777.8 million through the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act last year. According to a 23-page “annual use of funds report” presented Thursday to the School Board, the district has already spent $255 million.

“Every student has access to a device and to internet access, and we’re fitting classrooms with technology that will support and enhance high-quality instruction,” District Chief Strategy Officer Kellie Kowal-paul told the board. “Every student has access to a wide variety of wraparound services and mental health supports. Every student has access to one-on-one tutoring, of which over 12,000 students have already taken advantage.

“Ninety-seven teachers are currently earning a master’s degree in (English-language learning) ... at no cost to them.” Here’s a breakdown of the spending:

■ Fully, or nearly fully funded: online curriculum and instructional resources ($15.2 million budgeted); English-language learning endorsement for all teachers ($4.3 million); K-8 science curriculum ($93.5 million); retention bonuses for existing teachers ($64.7 million); administrator and teacher training for literacy instruction ($12 million)

■ Partially funded: upgraded technology ($204 million budgeted); community partnerships for additional learning and social supports ($52.6 million); mental health services ($27.6 million); relocation and retention bonuses for new teachers ($3.6 million); funding for district-sponsored charter schools ($6.9 million).

■ Just getting started: general purpose allocation to elementary schools ($23.1 million budgeted); instructional materials for social-emotional learning ($48.3 million); getting support staff and substitute teachers licensed as full-time teachers ($6.7 million)

■ Budgeted, but not yet funded: K-12 English language arts curriculum ($60 million); summer school ($74.4 million); additional staffing for the district’s Crisis Response Team ($750,000); college tuition for high school students interested in becoming teachers ($6.2 million); teacher leadership development ($1.3 million); diversity in administrator development ($435,000); continued COVID mitigation, including mask purchases ($49.8 million).

Funds will also go toward administrative costs, monitoring and building a data transparency tool so the public can track recovery spending.

The spending plan is subject to change. The district has until September 2024 to spend its full allocation.

Electric buses

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded CCSD a $9.875 million grant for new electric buses and charging infrastructure.

Pending approval from the School Board at a future meeting, the district says it will put $9.375 million toward 25 electric buses and $500,000 toward the infrastructure. These electric buses will replace 25 buses purchased in 2010 and 2011.

The funds come from the EPA’S new Clean School Bus Program, which aims to phase out diesel engines. Nationally, the grants will help 389 school districts purchase more than 2,400 “clean” buses.

School for victims of sex trafficking

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children broke ground last week on its Healing Center campus in Boulder City to treat child victims of sex trafficking.

The 10-acre residential treatment center will house children in a neighborhood-like setting, provide them with therapy and educate them in a CCSDRUN school dedicated to youths forced or manipulated into having sex for money. CCSD contributed $5 million toward the construction of the school, which is set to open in fall 2024 and serve up to 60 students.

The campus broke ground Oct. 25 and is slated to move in residents by summer 2024.

Honor a teacher

Nominations are open for next year’s Heart of Education Awards.

The Heart of Education, a marquee event of the Smith Center for the Performing

Arts and the Rogers Foundation, honors CCSD teachers who go above and beyond.

Anyone can suggest a deserving teacher at theheartofeducation.org/nominate. You’ll need to enter the teacher’s name, school, CCSD email address and a recommendation of 200 words or less by Jan. 13. Each nominee will later receive an email notification to complete an application. A panel of judges will select finalists and winners, who will be celebrated at an awards show-style gala in April at the Smith Center.

Twenty winners will be chosen. The number of finalists is dependent upon the number of qualified applicants. This year there were more than 300 finalists.

Finalists receive a certificate and sponsor gifts. Winners each receive a medal and $5,000 cash. Each winner’s school will also receive a cash gift of $1,000.

The Sun is a Heart of Education Awards co-sponsor.

Magnet school applications

Applications are now open to attend a CCSD magnet school in the 2023-24 school year.

CCSD has more than 40 magnet programs for all grades and interests. Learn more and submit an application at magnet. ccsd.net.

You can also check out the Magnet Schools Choice Fair from 9 am. to noon Saturday at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, 315 S. 7th St. in downtown.