Brian Smyth

This is a request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form. Please acknowledge receipt of this message.

Records requested:

At the June 15, 2021, Board of Education meeting, during Dr. Handerhan's "Special Presentation," Dr. Handerhan mentioned the Wall Twp district would be securing $2,171,279 in grant funding she described as the Federal American Rescue Plan Act aka "Safe Return Plan Funding." She also shared that the funding may be spent over the course of 2 years, 20% of which would be allocated to address "learning loss" issues.

This June 2021 Wall Patch article confirms the district's receipt of those funds.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/wall/wall-p...

Additionally, in September 2021, Wall Patch reported that the district received a total of $3,494,485 in COVID grants. https://patch.com/new-jersey/wall/wall-s...

This article also confirms WTPS's receipt of $3,494,485.
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/l...

FUNDING

1) All records of ESSR and ESSR II and III (if applicable) Funds received for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and any planned 2023 monies applied for. This includes the applications Wall submitted.

2) Can you please provide me with front/back images of the checks and/or proof of receipt of the Covid grant funds by the WTPS district with the cover letter it came with?

3) As we approach the 2-year mark of receiving the funds, can you please provide documentation (including purchasing orders) of how the ESSR monies have been spent thus far and what amount, if any, is still unspent where are they budgeted for future?

4) The stipulations included in order to keep funding from ESSR - what rules did you agree to in order to keep the monies.

REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET TO RECEIVE COVID RELIEF FUNDING

5) Can you please provide any/all documentation from the source(s) of any/all COVID relief grant funds regarding the requirements the district needed to abide by to receive funding, including the district's responses to the 8 writing prompts regarding (1) mask management, 2) social distancing, 3) handwashing/respiratory etiquette, 4) cleaning & improved ventilation,5) contact tracing, isolation & quarantine, 6) diagnostic testing & screening, 7) encouraging vaccination of staff & students, and 8) making special accommodations for students w/ disabilities.

6) Finally, how has 20% of the Covid Relief Funding been spent on learning loss, as stated by Dr. Handerhan in her "Special Presentation" at the June 15, 2021, Board of Education meeting, as one of the requirements for securing the funding?

Regards,

Betsy Cross