American Rescue Plan community engagement process

Posted May 26, 2021

The City School District of Albany is scheduled to receive approximately $32.8 million in one-time federal COVID-19 relief funds through the American Rescue Plan. These funds will be available to the school district for three years, through September 2024.

ARP investments require a community engagement process. The district received 540 responses to a community survey conducted in late May and early June, and also reviewed the survey results and plans to invest the funds at three virtual community forums in June (see below for more information about the district's ARP community engagement efforts).

Using that feedback, the district presented its ARP priorities to the community July 1.

The district also continues to advocate, along with our colleagues region-wide, for guidance from the state that will allow all schools to maximize in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. In the spring, Kaweeda G. Adams joined her peers from 91 area school districts in a letter to state leaders advocating for guidance that will allow all students to return in-person.

“We can confidently say from the experience of this year that there is no substitute for students being in school with their teachers,” the letter stated.

The superintendents’ letter also addressed key areas relating to student cohorts, social distancing and instructional delivery models due to the challenges faced during the pandemic.

ARP community forums

The district also planned three virtual community forums to provide more information about potential uses of ARP funds, and to gather additional feedback.