By Keilana Pang, Staff Writer
TCUSD received $6.2 million from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund III in October to help alleviate financial struggles caused by COVID-19.
Following a district-wide survey, the Board of Education approved plans for an estimated $1.7 million to finance the district’s Wi-Fi upgrades and the hiring of social and emotional health personnel over the next three years.
The district plans to upgrade the Wi-Fi in the winter, but the timing depends upon the current computer chip shortage. Upgrades include replacements of current access points and prioritizing Wi-Fi bandwidth for school devices.
The district plans to hire a psychologist to support special education students returning to in-person learning and a counselor who is either a marriage and family therapist or a licensed clinical social worker. The district hopes to prioritize their services for Oak Avenue, the high school and the DDS Learning Center.
The district allotted around $2 million of the ESSER Fund to mitigate learning loss by implementing a new math curriculum for the sixth-grade level through Algebra II. A teacher committee will preview two sets of curricula in two separate sessions, then fill out a survey for the final selection of the math curriculum.
The district also plans to use $2.5 million to repair and replace heating, ventilation and AC units. They anticipate delays due to many other districts upgrading their own units and require approval from the Division of the State Architect.
“With any addition, change or intervention, we hope it has a maximum positive effect on as many students as possible,” Superintendent Kimberly Fricker said. “We are currently planning to hold spring surveys to develop the strategic plan for the District. Students will be a part of this process.”