State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Announces Guidance for ESSER II Funds to Local Education Partners
Superintendent Arntzen Announces Guidance for ESSER II Funds to Local Education Partners
HELENA – Today Superintendent Arntzen shared the allowable uses and distribution of the $170,099,465 made available to Montana school leaders and education partners by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) funds. Ninety percent of the funds, or $153,089,518, will be allocated to each school district per the Title 1 federal formula for economically disadvantaged students. The guidance for the uses of these new COVID-19 funds are consistent with prevention, preparation, and response to Coronavirus.
“Transparency and clarity in communication is the purpose I host regular Education Advocate meetings with our Montana school leaders,” said Superintendent Arntzen. “A strong emphasis on safe learning environments and focusing on student learning is key in this distribution. Today’s timely discussion will aid our local leaders to best determine their individual needs as they seek every opportunity to best administer these COVID-19 relief funds."
Local schools will have until September 30, 2023, to obligate expenditures. The application for funds highlights two specific allowable uses. These uses include student learning loss and facility renovations. Additional support for student learning could be tutoring, summer learning experiences, or other strategies to meet student learning needs hindered by COVID-19’s negative impact on schools and children. Facility renovations are to ensure healthy learning environments for students by providing improved ventilation systems and other facility needs to ensure the health and well-being of students.
In today’s Education Advocates meeting, other important items discussed included amendments to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the assessment waiver for the federally mandated tests.
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Contact:
Sarah Swanson, 406-475-2307 Chief of Staff