LIBERTY — Amite County school officials are waiting for their applications for federal pandemic relief funds to be approved, the district’s chief financial officer told trustees Thursday.
The district has applied for a third round of Elementary And Secondary School Emergency Relief and American Rescue Plan funds, Lindsey Latham said.
“We should have approval, hopefully, by the end of next week,” she said. “If not, it will be the first part of January and I’ll be able to draw those funds then.”
The ESSER funds would mostly cover personnel expenses, Superintendent Don Cuevas said.
Latham said the ESSER funds will allow the district to pay full-time employees a $600 bonus in December and another one in May.
“The incentive payment is coming up, paying to all full-time district employees on their December 2021 payroll check and the May 2022 payroll check,” Latham said, adding that the second payment is intentionally given toward the end of the school year. “We decided, as a district, with people leaving or whatever and it being an incentive payment, that keeps them here longer with us.”
In more routine federal funding, Latham said the district did get approved for Title I, II, IV and V funds.
“That will help our cash for next month’s meeting,” she said.
Cuevas said Title funds, which are allocated according to student enrollment, go toward things such as technology, supplies and personnel to help supplement education.
Latham said she is also waiting on approval of the district’s federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act preschool funding applications.
Latham also reported 16th Section revenue is on the rise.
The board approved Daniel W. Jackson’s bid of $12.10 per acre and $919 total for a hunting a fishing lease of 76 acres of 16th Section land. The board also approved Liberty Trace LLC’s bid of $13.84 per acre and $2,220 total for 159 acres of 16th Section land.
