Grants

Grant Information

Local Grant applications are now only processed through an online system. The system is set up so that the applicant must complete the Grant and Gift Application Checklist form online and upload the grant narrative, budget, and budget narrative to the application.

Applicants must contact the Accounting Manager to go over their budget prior to submitting the application online. Once the application is submitted, the grant approvers (department heads in the district) will review it for completeness and accuracy.

All grant requests must be received three weeks prior to the grant deadline. Once final district approval has been obtained (from the Director of Finance), the applicant will be notified via email at which time the grant application may then be submitted to the Grantor by the applicant.

All grant checks are to be made payable and sent to:

Durango School District 9-R

Attn: Grant Fiscal Manager

281 Sawyer Dr Ste 100

Durango, CO 81303

Budget Form

To access the online application, click HERE. Please make sure to clearly identify each of the three fields as requested, then click on the "Go to form' button. Only the online grant application will be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding the grant application process, please contact the Finance Department.

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American Rescue Plan Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief

(ARP ESSER)

ARP ESSER III Information

ARP ESSER III is the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, a federal grant that was awarded to states and school districts as part of the American Rescue Plan. The intent of these funds is to determine the needs of our students and staff, address the academic impact of lost learning during school closures through evidence-based interventions and ensure that interventions will address the needs of all students, in particular students from historically underserved populations. Please see below the Use of Funds Plan for Durango School District 9-R.

Use of Funds Plan

What is ARP ESSER III?

ARP ESSER III is the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, a federal grant that was awarded to states and school districts as part of the American Rescue Plan. The intent of these funds is to determine the needs of our students and staff, address the academic impact of lost learning during school closures through evidence-based interventions and ensure that interventions will address the needs of all students, in particular students from historically underserved populations.

Proposed Budget

Addressing Learning Loss Through Adoption of New Curriculum, including Employee Training and Development: $2,523,229
Reading & Math Based Interventionists: $675,000
Behavior Interventionists: $675,000
Colorado Connections Academy Pass-Through: $370,800

Determination of Needs

Durango 9R has analyzed interim reading and math scores, attendance data, along with surveys from parents, staff, and students. Based on the interim reading and math results,Durango 9R has determined that student achievement has been impacted by the loss of instructional time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the data results, it was determined that all students experienced a decline in growth and proficiency in both reading and math. Data has been disaggregated for students. The data shows a significant gap in academic proficiency and greater decline for English learners, socioeconomically under resourced students, non-white students, and students with disabilities, compared to the general student population.

Evidence-Based Interventions

In selecting our evidence-based interventions, we focused on addressing the increased need for effective literacy and math instruction, along with additional evidence-based interventions for both literacy and math. Durango 9R will be conducting monthly progress monitoring in reading,administer interim assessments in reading and math three times per year, and review the effectiveness of interventions every 6 weeks during the academic year to ensure that interventions are addressing the identified students’ academic needs. Upwards of 50% of ourESSER III allocation is budgeted towards curricula that will facilitate student achievement and growth focused specifically on reading and math to address learning loss experienced during the many cycles of COVID-19. 15% of our total allocation will be used towards Math and Reading interventionists.

Addressing Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs through Behavior Interventionists

Concerns with student mental and behavioral health were exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School and community providers have observed a surge in challenging behavior,along with a student population presenting with disconnection and disengagement. The increased amount of time, effort, and resources that schools and staff regularly spend responding to student social-emotional and behavioral needs, as well as coordinating access to high-quality intervention and support, has stretched school and community resources thin. The data shows that the major behavior incident trends included high numbers of disobedient,defiant, and detrimental behavior, substance use violations, and bullying/harassment. Many of these behavioral event trends indicate a need for comprehensive intervention related to behavioral health, social skills, and emotional regulation. This data illustrates the significance of the need to expand programming and support for our student populations.

The behavior interventionists will maximize student achievement and create a critical link between the home and the school. This is an essential support role as students return to learning environments after months of remote learning. These interventionists will lead the Response to Intervention process, serve as a member of the Child Study Team, assess the needs of students, provide appropriate social work services, monitor student performance, consult with the instructional staff to assist them in providing strategies for student social and personal growth, and coordinate services for and communications with a student’s family and other social service resources.

ESSER III - Use of Funds