On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law, allowing the U.S. Department of Education to allocate $121.9 billion to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III fund).  This legislation will provide funding for school districts across the country, including Spartanburg District Five, to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have on our students and schools. 

As part of a two-phase process to receive its share of these funds, District Five drafted a "Return to Learn and Continuity of Services Plan" for the 2021-22 school year.  The South Carolina Department of Education and the federal government also require the district to seek feedback on this plan from all stakeholders.  In early June 2021, the district held feedback sessions with members of school improvement councils from each of its 12 schools.  Additionally, the district posted a public ThoughtExchange, or survey, to gather feedback from all stakeholders, including students, parents and families, employees, and community members. 

Results of that survey can be viewed here:  Thoughtexchange Results

Following this input, the district made revisions to its plan.  The final 2021-22 "Return to In Person Learning" plan can be viewed below.