Survey available to gauge priorities for PCSD American Rescue Plan funds

With American Rescue Plan funds came a responsibility—a duty expected of school districts to seek public input as to how that COVID-19 relief money should be spent.

The Port Chester School District is fulfilling its end of the bargain.

The 2021-22 New York State budget dictates that school districts receiving American Rescue Plan funds are required to post plans online regarding how the money will be spent and what the district’s priorities are. While developing those plans, which are mandated to be on school websites by July 1, districts must also garner comments from parents, teachers and stakeholders and take those thoughts into consideration.

American Rescue Plan money is a one-time federal stimulus purposed to support students and districts that have been the most severely impacted by COVID-19. As per the approved 2021-22 budget, the Port Chester School District is slated to receive $15.7 million.

The district has created a survey available online, requesting stakeholders to express how they’d like to see the money spent.

“Results of the survey will be taken into account in the development of our plan with a special consideration being provided for the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English Language Learners and students experiencing homelessness,” the poll introduction reads.

Through a series of questions, the survey presents participants a series of potential investments—such as safely returning to full in-person learning, purchasing educational technology, and addressing social-emotional and mental health needs—and asks them to rank them on a scale of “not a priority” to “highest priority.”

A link to the survey pops up when visiting the Port Chester Schools website. Go to www.portchesterschools.org to participate.