Trustees of the Ripon Unified School District is conducting a special session at 3 p.m. today in the Ripon High Library.

RHS is located at 301 N. Acacia Ave.

During the open session — at about 3:15 — board members will look to approve the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III) for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plan.

The U.S. Department of Education requires that Local Education Agencies – or LEA, in this case, Ripon Unified — receiving ESSER III funds to submit a plan for the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services.

This plan will show that RUSD had a compliant safety amid COVID-19 in place as of March 11.

That’s when the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law, providing nearly $122 billion for ESSER III.

RUSD, under the LEA Plan, would be asked to review and, if needed, revise its plan at least every six months.

A revised plan would also call for the local school district to address each of the aspects of safety currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

In addition, Superintendent Ziggy Robeson will talk about the re-opening plan for the new school year.

The first day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Director of Curriculum & Categorical Programs Kathy Coleman is scheduled to be on hand to speak on the consolidated application submitted to state in order to obtain federal funding for categorical programs. RUSD receives Title I, II, III and IV through the consolidated application.
• School board members could approve an agreement for bus services between RUSD and Escalon Unified.
• Robeson will be available to answer questions of job description and salary schedule revision for the position of paraeducator.
• She’ll also do likewise on resignations along with the nine new hires and two position changes.

For more information, log on to www.riponusd.net.