An ESSER Update

Another round of funding Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) is being dedicated to public schools with the President's signing of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This most recent funding is also referred to as ESSER III. 
 

NEW MT OPI Submits ARP-ESSER State Plan to USED: On June 7, 2021, the Montana OPI submitted the required State Plan regarding ESSER III funds to the U.S. Department of Education.  You can read the plan here and the press release here.

Previous Update: E-Grants Application - The OPI allocated the school district ESSER III funds on May 24, 2021!

On March 24, 2021, the Montana OPI received from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Funds, authorized under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. The ARP-ESSER provides $382,019,236 (ESSER III) for Montana schools to safely reopen and sustain safe operations of schools while meeting the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This marks the third round of ESSER funding that Montana has received and is available through September 2024. 

COVID Related Funding Received By Montana Schools 

 

COVID-Related Funding Received for Public and Non-Public Schools Graphic: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) I = $41,295,230; ESSER II = $170,099,465; ESSER III = $382,019,236; Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) = $24,679,709; Total Funds = $618,093,640


COVID Related Funding Spent 

 

COVID-Related Funding Spent Graphic: ESSER I (Total= $41,295,230; 52% Spent); ESSER II (Total= $170,099,465; 0% Spent); ESSER III (Total= $382,019,236; 0% Spent); EANS (Total=$24,679,709; 0% Spent)

ARP-ESSER KEY DATES AND OPI TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITY TIMELINE OVERVIEW

(click here to view full timeline with additional details)

  • May 24, 2021. MT OPI allocated the school district share of the ARP ESSER funds received on March 24, 2021 through the e-grants system
  • June 2021.  The OPI will host weekly Q & A Sessions (see Timeline for details)
  • June 7, 2021. Due date for submitting the ARP ESSER State Plan to the US Department of Education (OPI requirement)
  • June 18, 2021. Final day to submit cash requests for June payment for all Federal programs, including ESSER
  • June 21, 2021. OPI deadline to make school data information available on its website
  • June 24, 2021.  Districts must make publicly available Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plans
  • June 24-25, 2021.  Virtual Montana Education Summit (MTEdx-21). Registration is required and open at this link: https://hopin.com/events/mtedx-21
  • July 1, 2021.  The District ARP ESSER Plan template will open through the TEAMS (due by August 24th)
  • July 2021.  The OPI will host three ARP ESSER Webinars on District ARP ESSER Plans (see Timeline for details)
  • August 24, 2021.  Districts must submit an ARP ESSER Plan to the OPI through TEAMS
  • September 1, 2021.  Due date to complete and submit ESSER II and ESSER III applications in the E-grants system

 

For more information, contact Jeff Kirksey, the ESSER Program Manager, at jeffrey.kirksey@mt.gov

Disclaimer: This information is subject to change as final guidance and information is released by the USED.

Last Updated June 16, 2021

 

Guidance

District Allocations

Fund Coding

Monitoring


ESSER Consolidated Training

May 13, 2021 12:28 PM

Meeting Recording:

https://mt-gov.zoom.us/rec/share/qnV7ITi_DQjel9yCFmvcZ1m-MtYZnkF9mDt4F5V6WtzXfIHtvoDeOrjIKG0g_Lh2.cHvvjWZVmS9SWUUo

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