Update on Esser Funding for Jackson County School District

It may be the middle of summer for most Coast students, but in Jackson County, school leaders are busy trying to allocate and keep up with federal funding they’ve received over the past year.

Esser one, two, and three funds have been made available to school districts under the Cares Act. The Jackson County School District has applied and used that funding in many ways.

The school district has used much of the Esser one funding and they just got approval for Esser two funds, meaning more staffing, curriculum, and facility improvements are able to be made.

As they prepare to apply for Esser three funds, district leaders say the money they’ve already received has been beneficial. Jackson County School District Business Manager Ryan Earley said, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There’s a lot of work that’s gone into it. There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done and this will be with us for the next three years through 2024.”

Jackson County School District Superintendent Dr. John Strycker said, “I mean, that amount of money is beneficial, but we just want to make sure we’re going to spend it wisely looking to the future.”

As of now, the school district is waiting on the Mississippi Department of Education to open up the application process for Esser three funding as they prepare for more district improvements.