EdCircuit Staff 
Table of Contents
In 2020, school districts across the country did the unthinkable. Overnight, classrooms turned into Zoom rooms, kitchen tables became desks, and education—once grounded in face-to-face connection—was forced to go fully digital. Students needed devices, families needed internet access, and teachers needed entirely new instructional systems.
Enter ESSER.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund provided a much-needed lifeline. Districts used the money to buy thousands of Chromebooks, invest in remote learning platforms, and connect students left behind by the digital divide.
But five years later, the devices are failing. The funds are gone. And with the Department of Education’s role diminished and ESSER funding officially ended in 2024, school districts are left asking one critical question:
How will we replace all this aging technology—without any help?
What Was ESSER, and What Did It Fund?
ESSER was created under the CARES Act in March 2020, with a first round of $13.2 billion for K–12 schools. Two more rounds followed:
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ESSER II (CRRSA Act) – December 2020 – $54.3 billion
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ESSER III (ARP Act) – March 2021 – $122 billion
Districts had until September 30, 2024, to obligate the funds. The goal was clear: stabilize schools, support students, and bridge equity gaps worsened by the pandemic.
How districts used the funds:
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Devices: Laptops, Chromebooks, tablets—often distributed one-to-one
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Internet Access: Hotspots, home broadband subsidies, and upgraded infrastructure
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Software & Platforms: Learning management systems (LMS), Zoom, digital curriculum
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Training & Support: Professional development for teachers, IT staff expansion
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Health & Safety: Ventilation, PPE, cleaning supplies
For many schools, this was the first time they had funding to bring digital learning to scale.
But the pace was rapid, and sustainability wasn’t always top of mind.
What We Learned
Access ≠ Sustainability
Buying thousands of low-cost devices was necessary in 2020. But many districts went with affordability over durability. Now, five years later, those devices are breaking down or no longer support critical updates.
EdTech Subscriptions Add Up
Districts invested in dozens of digital tools—some redundant, some underused. Without central oversight, subscriptions ballooned. Now, they’re quietly bleeding district budgets.
Training Was an Afterthought
Many teachers received new tools but limited training. As a result, the full instructional potential of the technology went untapped. Professional development must accompany any tech investment.
Infrastructure Still Matters
Some districts upgraded Wi-Fi and backend systems; others didn’t. Now, they’re realizing that devices are only as good as the networks they run on.
Where Will the Money Come From Now?
Strategic Budget Reallocation
Districts are reassessing all spending. Tech replacement plans may require cuts elsewhere—nonessential programs, administrative overhead, or even postponed capital improvements.
Consolidation of Tools and Licenses
Now’s the time to audit EdTech platforms. Streamlining software and canceling unused subscriptions can free up tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
Local Partnerships and Grants
With federal funds off the table, districts are turning to local solutions:
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Partnering with businesses for sponsorship or in-kind donations
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Applying for grants through foundations or local government initiatives
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Seeking support from parent and alumni groups
Technology Leasing and Financing
Leasing devices or entering into multi-year financing plans can spread out the cost of replacements, avoiding budget shocks. Some districts are also exploring buyback and recycling programs to offset costs.
Long-Term Replacement Cycles
Instead of reacting to broken devices, districts are developing sustainable refresh cycles (e.g., replacing one-third of devices each year) and building those costs into annual budgets.
Where Do We Go from Here?
Build Tech Into the Core Budget
Technology is no longer supplemental—it’s foundational. Future-ready districts are embedding tech replacement and support costs into their general fund, not relying on one-time grants.
Invest in People, Not Just Products
Devices alone don’t drive learning outcomes. Districts must prioritize ongoing training, coaching, and IT staffing to support effective tech integration.
Prioritize Equity, Always
Tech equity was the rallying cry in 2020. It must remain a pillar moving forward. Students in low-income and rural areas still face access barriers that districts must continue to address through creative, local solutions.
Advocate for New Funding Streams
The end of ESSER doesn’t mean the need has vanished. Districts must continue lobbying at the state level for dedicated K–12 technology funds—and explore new legislation or ballot initiatives that prioritize digital learning.
The Post-ESSER Crossroads
The ESSER era proved one thing: with the right tools, schools can pivot, innovate, and deliver learning in ways we never imagined. But those tools are now aging. The funds are gone. And the cliff is real.
Districts are at a crossroads.
Will we return to the underfunded tech models of the past—patching together solutions, hoping devices last one more year?
Or will we redefine how we fund and value technology in education—not as a luxury, but as a core infrastructure that every student deserves?
The answer will define the future of learning—for this generation and the next.
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