State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Announces the Closing of the First Round of Federal COVID Funds
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is reminding Montana school districts that the federal Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) I funds need to be allocated by September 30, 2022. Any dollars that a school district does not allocate by the 30th must be returned to the federal government. These federal COVID relief dollars were disbursed in three separate rounds beginning in May 2020, each with its own allowable uses and spending timeframes:
- $41,295,230 ESSER I – Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds must be allocated by September 30, 2022
- $170,099,465 ESSER II – Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act funds must be allocated by September 30, 2023
- $382,019,236 ESSER III – American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funds must be allocated by September 30, 2023
“These federal COVID funds offer a unique opportunity for our Montana schools to utilize federal tax dollars as a new funding source while maintaining local control,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The flexible use of these dollars is a local school board decision to creatively help teachers or relieve the burden on local taxpayers. My office has worked closely with our Montana school districts and the federal government to ensure that these dollars are used in meaningful ways for our teachers, families, and most importantly our students’ success.”
The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has made monthly ESSER allocation reports available to school districts and the public to help track these funds. OPI has also sent school board chairs a monthly letter identifying the allocated funds in all three ESSER categories to build a strong partnership with districts through this process. Between August and September, the ESSER team held nine guidance sessions covering allowable uses, amendments, cash requests, and the capital expenditure process to assist school districts in allocating the ESSER I dollars. OPI established a partnership with a national audit company, Ernst and Young, to aid in monitoring the $6 million in federal ESSER dollars flowing through the state to local districts.
ESSER funds can be used to supplement staffing needs, purchase learning and personal protective supplies, upgrade and maintain property and services, and provide learning programs during non-school hours. Most of the ESSER I funds were used to support staffing needs and purchase learning and personal protective supplies. Approximately half of the ESSER II and III funds are being used by schools to continue staffing support needs and about one-third of the funds are being used to upgrade property such as HVAC systems.
For more information on ESSER please contact Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov.
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