Montana Schools Submit Second Required Data Collection for Federal COVID Relief Dollars

• Brian O'Leary
• May 22 2023

HELENA - Montana school districts concluded the second federally required data collection for the July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 reporting period. The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has submitted the data collection to the federal government. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) data collection is mandated in order for districts to receive their share of the total allocation of $593,413,931 education federal COVID dollars. The federal COVID dollars are from three federal funding sources: ESSER I, ESSER II, and  ESSER III.

“Montana believes in transparency in government, especially when it comes to our precious tax dollars,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “I applaud our ESSER team and the review committee for tirelessly working to ensure that this federally mandated data collection went smoothly for all our Montana schools.”

A review committee composed of school clerks and superintendents from across the state, along with OPI staff designed a data collection process to ensure that the US Department of Education (DOE) received efficient information for the data collection. The federal ESSER data collection has three large “use of funds” categories with 25 subcategories:

1. Supporting Physical Health
2. Meeting Students’, Academic, Emotional, Social, Mental Health, and other needs.
3. Operational Continuity and Other Allowed Uses

Examples of how Montana districts utilized funds:

• In Lincoln County, an exciting auction is about to take place at the end of the month involving a unique class assignment – Tiny Houses. ESSER funds have enabled creativity and engaged student proficiency-based learning that everyone in the community can embrace. As Joel Graves, Superintendent of Lincoln County High School reported, “The Tiny House project has been an exceptional experience. It has involved the whole community including realtors, attorneys, parents, teachers, and even an auctioneer from Libby who is volunteering his time to help auction off the students’ completed class projects – tiny houses.” ESSER funding was used to secure transportation for the students to the off-site warehouse needed to house the work in progress.  Unlikely classroom supplies such as plumbing, framing, and lighting were purchased using several grant resources including ESSER funds. Interior design class students and career technical students worked together with teachers and the community to produce the two Tiny Houses.
• Boosted by community engagement in student learning in all settings, the Target Range K-8 school generated smiles and brain cell activity as students decided what their new outdoor learning space would look like.  ESSER funding, designed to assist schools in meeting challenges resulting from the pandemic, was used to help hire design staff who worked alongside the school and community in designing the structures.   The outdoor learning space project started with a focus on all students.  The Foundation, parents, staff, and community concept of the playground contained an inclusive play system integrating accessible surfaces and equipment that appeal to students of all abilities.  The cost was high, but the community came together through several fund-raising efforts including a jogathon. Jessica Pyette (District Business Clerk) noted that almost 100% of the student body participated in the campaign. 
• Heart Butte School District serves the Blackfeet Reservation and aims to preserve Amskapie Pikuni culture as it serves students in its education system. As of December 2022, Heart Butte School District had spent just under half (43%) of its budget for lost instructional time, or $534,671 out of $1.2M. They used their ESSER funds to support a Success Specialist, as well as tutoring services and transportation to and from school for students who needed tutoring. The transportation component represented a change from Heart Butte School District’s original plan; they had initially intended to lease office space in town to support tutoring but realized it would be more financially efficient to invest in transportation services n to ensure both personal and academic needs are met. Heart Butte School District utilized an internal referral system to target high-needs students, including those with low grades and those with a high probability of dropout. Superintendent Mike Tatsey noted that this internal referral system is similar to a multi-tiered system of support. The district’s system is tailored to local needs that include a focus on being a care-first, trauma-informed school district. Implementation of ESSER-funded initiatives is still in an early stage, but Superintendent Tatsey reported increases in both attendance and being on track for graduation.

The $41,295,230 of ESSER I funds needed to be expended by September 30, 2022. Districts expended 100% of these funds. The $170,099,465 of ESSER II funds must be expended by September 30, 2023. As of April 30, 2023, districts have expended 68% of these funds. The $382,019,236 of ESSER III funds must be expended by September 30, 2024. As of April 30, 2023, districts have expended 34% of these funds. The state-wide ESSER allocations can be found here.