School Closures

The Governor released a directive on April 22 with provisions for a phased reopening of Montana. This directive rescinds the school closure directive and schools are no longer required to operate under the distance learning plans that they submitted to the Governor, nor do schools have to submit new plans. Schools are able to reopen on May 7 and may continue providing distance learning or a mixed-delivery model per MCA 20-7-118 or declare local emergency school closures per MCA 20-9-806. This new directive essentially returns education back to local control by districts. Districts should continue to consult with their local health authorities in decision-making as well as the additional guidelines in the Governor's directive. Schools should also make every effort to stick to their established academic calendar.

Thank you to the Montanans who participated in our poll regarding the remainder of the school year! Over 12,000 people voted with about 78% wanting to keep schools closed for the remainder of the school year and 22% wishing to see schools open this academic year.

Keep Your Zoom Meeting Safe from "Zoom-bombing"

The FBI has warned Zoom users of teleconferencing sessions being hijacked all over the nation.  Also known as "Zoom-bombing" there are multiple reports of conferences being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language.  Read the compiled information to keep this from happening in your meetings. 

CARES Act & School Emergency Relief Funds

Under the Cares Act, Montana schools will receive federal emergency funds to help school districts respond to the impact of COVID-19 through the following types of support:

  • State SEA (The OPI) School Emergency Relief Fund - $41.295 million available to Montana
    • OPI must distribute 90% based on  the Title I formula for FY 2019 and will provide the remaining 10% to all operating EL/HS districts to ensure that Districts that are not Title 1 receive a minimum of $10,000. Districts have broad flexibility in their use of these funds as described in the document below.
    • Estimated State School Emergency Relief Fund Allocations FY 2020
  • Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund - $8.765 million available to Montana
    • The nature of this funding will be determined by the Governor's Office and K-12 and higher education are eligible. 
  • Federal Education Stabilization Fund - $307.5 million available nationwide
    • This funding will provide direct grants to those states that are most impacted by COVID-19.
  • Federal Save School and Citizenship Education (“Project SERV”) - $100 million available nationwide   

Cares Act Preliminary Financial Guidance Recorded Webinar

Read more details in the CARES Act Guidance Document

 

 

The State of Montana's COVID-19 Information Page 

 

OPI Press Releases

 

School Plans:

 

Return to Top

 

 

 

 

OPI Services

At this time the OPI will continue to provide services and support to schools with some exceptions:

OPI offices are closed to the public and most OPI staff are working remotely and providing services via telephone and computer.  Please click on the "Contact" button at the top of this page if you need to contact a specific person at the OPI.  All travel to schools by OPI employees is suspended until April 17th.  This includes monitoring visits and technical assistance; however, we will provide these services remotely whenever possible.

Parents:  Your child's school or district should be your first source of information about what services your school or district is offering during the closure.  The OPI has published extensive Online Learning Resources for School Leaders, Teachers & Parents.

 

For general questions and inquiries related to COVID-19, please email us at OPICOVID19@mt.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment and Accountability

The US Department of Education has approved the OPI’s request to waive requirements for the 2019-2020 school year assessment, accountability, and reporting for states and local education agencies under ESSA. 

The Montana Waivers site shares information on the waivers, as well as how you can share your comments. 

Please see the Assessment FAQ for the latest assessment information.

Email the Assessment Help Desk or call us at 1-844-867-2569 if you have other questions or concerns regarding Assessment.

 

Return to Top

 

 

 

 

Finance

CARES Act Guidance Document

 

The Single Audit Deadline REMAINS March 31, 2020 - The Local Government Services (LGS) Bureau has received several inquiries about the upcoming March 31, 2020 federal single audit deadline:  "LGS cannot  extend a federal deadline, however, we do understand how the current crisis is impacting the completion and submission of audit reports and expect audit reports will be submitted after the March 31 deadline.  There is not a State penalty for late audit reports; LGS will not be sending delinquent audit report notices; and we will work with all entities and auditors needing our assistance. "  Please read the March 24, 2020 Single Audit Deadline memo published by LGS for more information.

Student Proficiency Guidance

School Finance Questions & Concerns

Return to Top

 

 

 

 

School Nutrition

According to guidance from the USDA, if school facilities are closed unexpectedly during the school year for reasons provided in 42 U.S.C. 1761(c)(1), schools have options for feeding students.  Schools are not required to provide meal service during school closures.  Programs should contact your regional specialist directly for other school nutrition questions & concerns.

April 15, 2020 - OPI School Nutrition Programs Clarification & Guidance

 

NEW – MEALS TO YOU

Rural school districts that participate in the USDA National School Lunch Program with 50% free/reduced can sign up for food boxes with 10 breakfasts and 10 lunches to be delivered every two weeks directly to students’ homes while schools are closed due to COVID-19.

Contact Deb Jones, OPI School Nutrition Specialist, at Deborah.jones@mt.gov with questions.

NEW – AREA ELIGIBILITY WAIVER

April 1, 2020 - USDA approved Montana’s waiver enabling Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors to operate open sites in areas approved by MT OPI based on economic hardship, but that are not located in areas in which poor economic conditions exist per federal regulations.

COVID-19 MEAL SERVICE SAFETY

  • Stay 6 feet apart in the kitchen/prep area and when handing out meals
  • Practice no contact hand offs
  • Sanitize hands and surfaces regularly

 School Safety Precautions During COVID-19 Webinar

Complete the School Nutrition Waiver Survey to report on meal service during school facility closure and to request participation in the Area Eligibility Waiver, Parent Guardian Meal Pickup Waiver, and/or Meal Pattern Waiver. 

Return to Top


 

 

 

Transportation

Pupil Transportation Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

Return to Top

 

 

 

 

Special Education

This quickly evolving situation is generating significant federal attention and new guidance.  Because much of the new guidance is related to core fundamental components of the IDEA, Office of Civil Rights, the Federal Educational Rights to Privacy Act, as well as numerous other federal laws, agency regulations and guidance, we are directing districts with questions regarding servicing students with disabilities to the OPI's Special Education COVID 19 information page.  Here you will find current guidance.  New guidance, resources, and tools will be added as they become available.

We are also asking that any questions regarding serving students with disabilities during this pandemic be sent to SPEDCOVID@mt.gov.

Return to Top

 

 

 

 

Other Questions & Guidance