Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)

Welcome to the Emergency American Rescue Plan (ARP) and
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)
webpage for the Office of Public Instruction

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is proud to serve our Montana families, students, and teachers through the administration of the ESSER education funding of just over $605 million. Each district was awarded ESSER funding based on Title I student count. Across the state, Districts are using ESSER funding in innovative, valuable ways, enabling schools and their partners to implement highly effective and beneficial programs. The countdown is here with ESSER I (CARES) expiring 2022, ESSER II (CRRSA) expiring 2023, and ESSER III (ARP) expiring 2024 (comparison chart p.4). OPI has established a system of support to ensure grant funding compliance and provide advocacy in use of funds.

Meet the ESSER /
EANS Team

Click to watch the ESSER Funding Use Panel Discussion

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)

Montana Schools

COVID-Related Funding Received for Public and Non-Public Schools Graphic: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief ESSER I (CARES), Expires 2022 = $41,295,230; ESSER II (CRRSA), Expires 2023 = $170,099,465; ESSER III (ARP), Expires 2024= $382,019,236; Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) = $24,679,709; Total Funds = $605,318,735

Nationally

COVID Related Funding Received Nationally; ESSER I (CARES) expires 2022 $13.23 Billion; ESSER II (CRRSA) expired 2023 $54.31 Billion; ESSER III (ARP) expires 2024 $121.97 Billion

Monthly COVID Related Funding Spent

COVID-Related Funding Spent Graphic: ESSER I (Total= $41,295,230; $41,235,726 Spent; 100% Spent); ESSER II (Total= $170,099,465; $104,675,960 Spent; 62% Spent); ESSER III (Total= $382,019,236; $91,806,785 Spent; 24% Spent); EANS (Total=$11,904,804; $2,413,175 Spent, 20% Spent)

Highlights

Quick Reference Views - Legislative | District & Public

Calendar of Events

ESSER Annual Data Collection DOE 2022 (pdf)

EANS Annual Data Collection DOE 2022 (pdf)

Final Expenditure Reports (FERs) OPI Nov22 (video)

FAQ ESSER and GEER Use of Funds DOE December 2022 (pdf)

January ESSER Guidance Sessions flier (pdf)

OPI Access QuickGuide for Clerks/Superintendents Sep 2022 (pdf)

ESSER OPI Monthly Compass Updates Combined (2021-22 pdf) (2023 pdf)

Staffing Labor Shortages DOE Apr 2021 (pdf)

Montana Broadband Access OPI Site

Affordable Connectivity Program Discount ($30 - $75) to Eligible Families

ESSER Chart Comparison (pdf)

Extended/Expanded Learning
Opportunity (ELO) Grant Info

ESSER HCY Homeless
Grant Info

ESSER Resources

ESSER State and District Plan

On August 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education approved the ARP ESSER State Plan for Montana. This gave OPI an approved roadmap for helping our great Montana schools and communities use this large influx of Federal funding to innovate and improve instruction for our Montana students. The Montana State Plan recognizes local control, removes obstacles and barriers for schools, and enhances accountability.