Superintendent Arntzen to Host Virtual Community Discussion on Federal ESSER Funds

• Brian O'Leary
• August 29 2024

HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen will host a virtual community discussion on the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for parents, teachers, school leaders, legislators, and community members on September 5, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The community discussion will include:

• A review of the timeframe, allowable uses, and Montana’s State Plan for ESSER I, II, and III
• Research by Dr. Carly Urban and Dr. Christiana Stoddard from Montana State University on the ways Montana districts have utilized ESSER funds
• A review of the ways Montana has utilized the ESSER state set-aside funds

“These federal tax dollars were always a temporary increase for our public schools to assist with learning loss due to COVID,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The experts in my office have worked closely with all of our Montana districts to find the best possible usages for their students and community. This community discussion is an opportunity for all Montanans to learn more about the transparent uses of these federal dollars.”

Between the spring of 2020 and March of 2021, Montana received over $605 million in COVID relief funds in three buckets. The final bucket, ESSER III, will close out on September 30, 2024. As of August 29, 2024, there was $100,367,027, or 26%, of ESSER III funds that have not been expended by Montana’s 821 schools.

To join the ESSER Community Discussion, click here.