School district to receive $26.7 million in second and third rounds of federal ESSER funding. Written By: Pamela D. Knudson | 8:04 pm, Jun. 28, 2021 × Submitted image The Grand Forks School Board finalized results of the June 22 referendum and approved the district’s application to the state for $8.2 million in federal ESSER II funds at a special meeting Monday, June 28. ESSER stands for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief. Both referendum questions – one to raise the mill levy for the building fund and the other to issue $86 million in bonds for a new consolidated school on the city’s north side and other facility needs – failed to gain the 60% approval for passage in last week's vote. The yes votes totaled 30% and 54%, respectively.