In a pair of July 6, 2022, broadcast memos to school districts, the New Jersey Department of Education released the following fiscal and programmatic guidance regarding use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief and other federal funds:
- “Maximizing Federal Funds”: This new resource, created by the NJDOE in partnership with the Region 4 Comprehensive Center (a regional technical assistance provider funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education), is designed to help local educational agency leaders understand how different federal funds, including ESSER, may be used in the short- and long-term to meet specific academic, social, emotional, mental health and other needs of students and staff. The guidance is meant to further encourage conversations in school communities regarding strategic connections between ESSER and other federal funds (e.g., Every Student Succeeds Act Title funds, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds, etc.).
- ESSER I, II, and III Grant-Specific Information: This memo provides fiscal guidance for each round of ESSER funds designed to assist LEAs with fully expending funding.