- $3.04 million on supporting and retaining staff;
- $2.33 million on learning loss initiatives;
- $1.51 school facility repairs; and
- $990,000 on technology to support instruction.
Learning loss initiatives include $1.2 million for three years of free summer school and tutoring; $912,660 for additional counselors; and $213,642 for a % Phonics Core Classroom program that supports a reading loss initiative from the pandemic. HUSD Chief Financial Officer Tyler Moore noted the money more than coveres the requirement to have 20% of ESSER III funds go to address learning loss. In supporting and retaining staff, the district plans to spend $2.2 million on $1,500 stipends for returning employees; $50,000 on professional development, including support on implementing the phonics program; $20,000 for referral and recruitment bonuses of $1,500 on transportation employees; $30,000 to continue COVID-19 leave for affected employees; and $736,916 to maintain and operate the ESSER III grant for three years. The facility repair money will go to heating, ventilation and air condition system upgrades to improve air quality at campuses across the district. The technology money will be spent over two years and includes money for student laptops for growth and for sites to have spares; software programs; document cameras for teachers; and wireless display modules for elementary classrooms. The spending plan will be published on the district website.
Other items
The district will change its certified staff evaluation instrument from Stronge & Associates to Danielson for the 2022-23 school year after three years of committee work to improve certified evaluations. The new tool allows for more specific feedback, Human Resources Executive Director Mum Martens said. The district updated four policies to align with state law. The changes were to policies about professional staff contracts, professional staff hiring, professional and support staff orientation and training, and a deadline change for each school to have at least one teacher for kindergarten to third grade who has received training in dyslexia.
