Superintendent Arntzen to Host Discussion on Federal COVID Relief Dollars

• Brian O'Leary
• December 30 2022

HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen will host an in-person and virtual panel discussion on the investment of federal COVID relief dollars in Montana schools on January 3, 2023, from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM. This event will take place in room 303 of the Montana State Capitol. This discussion will focus on the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds with an overview from the US Department of Education including Montana educational leaders. The ESSER panel is open to all, including legislators, school leaders, and trustees who want to learn how these federal dollars are utilized for Montana schools.

“This statewide discussion is an opportunity to explore innovative ways to utilize the remaining $365 million federal COVID relief funds,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Our Montana schools have the responsibility to spend these federal ESSER dollars by the end of September 2024. This showcases the unique landscape and needs across our rural state.”

Presenters include:

• James Lane, Senior Advisor, US Department of Education
• Glendive Superintendent Stephen Schreibeis – water health improvement
• Eureka Superintendent Joel Graves – mental health and tiny houses within Career and Technical Education
• Rachel Wanderscheid, Director of the Montana Afterschool Alliance – mental health and math
• Target Range Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt – outdoor learning spaces
• Fergus County Superintendent Rhonda Long – small rural school focus

On December 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education released an updated ESSER FAQ document. This new FAQ emphasized the need for meaningful stakeholder input as States and Districts spend the allocated funds. Several points of clarification in the FAQ include:

• Early warning systems for student achievement
• Healthy schools – air and water improvement and school security
• College and Career pathways
• Leveraging federal, state, and local funds
• Liquidation and spend-down guidance

The panel discussion will be streamed on Zoom here.