Montclair Schools COVID Update: Testing, Masks, Funding

Eric Kiefer
·2 min read

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair School Superintendent Jonathan Ponds recently offered local parents an update about coronavirus-related news in the district, including testing, masks, quarantining and COVID-related funding.

Ponds released the following information for the school community on Friday.

COVID Testing and Health Guidance Update – “Rapid antigen testing from Medi Mobile of Livingston is available at the Annex Atrium, 141 Park Street, with parking in the rear on North Fullerton Avenue on Tuesdays and Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m. throughout the end of January and all of February. This service has no out-of-pocket cost, but please remember to bring your insurance card and ID.”

Quarantining – “While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) recently updated their K-12 guidance, we wanted you to understand that out of an abundance of caution and collaboration with our school physician, we will maintain the 10-day quarantine period until we are out of the high-risk zone.” Read More: Montclair Schools Stick With 10-Day COVID Quarantine Period

Masks – “Masking is mandated by the Governor's office for K-12 schools as stipulated in Executive Order 281. Indoor masking will continue in our schools for all individuals including students, teachers, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Please be sure your children wear masks when boarding school buses.”

Funding – “The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) provides school districts with aid to address the impact COVID-19 has had on school budgets. Along with the initial ESSER Fund, in March 2021 the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund was formed. This additional level of funding is commonly known as ESSER III and enables districts to reopen and sustain the safe operations of schools. We are pleased that with this funding we have completed Phase I of our HVAC ventilation work. We have encumbered these funds as follows:”

“The total ESSER III funds were $5,074,892 and were allotted as follows. Note: Money allocated in the ESSER III in the staffing areas (paras, teachers, benefits), can also be allocated towards compensatory education.”

  • Paras - $180,000

  • Teachers - $650,000

  • Benefits for the aforementioned staff - $386,270

  • Instructional Supplies - $50,000

  • HVAC - $2,254,506

  • Extended Day Transportation - $200,000

  • COVID Testing/Vaccinations - $1,200,000

  • Desk Shields/Sneeze Guards/Cleaning Products - $154,116

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This article originally appeared on the Montclair Patch