Houston ISD launches public dashboard for ESSER funds

On May 5, Houston ISD announced the release of an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund dashboard for the public as part of Superintendent Millard House II’s strategic plan.

According to the May 5 press release, the dashboard will allow the public to see how and where the $1.16 billion in ESSER II and III funds from 2021-22 are being used. The allocations for these funds are broken down by centrally funded programs, campus programs and campus staff.

“A core commitment of our strategic plan is building trust and reliability for our families and community,” House said in the release. “We believe that being fully transparent with how the district is spending its ESSER funds—which are public dollars—is a big step toward that goal.”

HISD has until Sept. 30, 2024, to spend the funds. So far, the district has allocated $607.81 million and spent $319.15 million, the release said.

ESSER II funds from the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act were signed into law Dec. 27, 2020. Following shortly after, ESSER III funds from the American Rescue Plan Act were made available and signed into law March 11, 2021.

According to the release, the funds are being used to address impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.