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.

ESSER II Closeout - September 30th, 2023

Meet the ESSER /
EANS Team

ESSER Data Collection Year 3

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

COVID Education Funding Status

(Updated Monthly)

rp ESSER EANS Thermometer SM May23

Highlights

May 2023 ESSER Guidance Session Registration Flyer (pdf)

Safety Security Assessment Reimbursement Request (pdf)

ESSER Allocation & Spending View by District (pdf)

Calendar of Events

Fact Sheet Department of Education UEI numbers (pdf)

FAQ ESSER and GEER Use of Funds DOE December 2022 (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.

Montana State and District Plans

Montana State Plan (pdf)
Montana State Homeless Children and Youth Plan (pdf)

Resources, FAQ, and Guidances

General

MT OPI School District ARP ESSER Plan Template (pdf)
Model Safe Return to Schools and Continuity of Services Plan (pdf)
FAQ ESSER and GEER Use of Funds DOE December 2022 (pdf)
ESSER Funding Timeline (pdf)
ESSER Chart Comparison DOE 2021 (pdf)
FAQ Mode of Equity and Chart MOE Feb 2022 (pdf)
Utilizing ESSER Funds OPI Jun 2022 (pdf)
Lost Instructional Time Guidance DOE Aug2021 (pdf)
Strategies to Utilize ESSER FutureEd Jun2021 (pdf)
ESSER Fund Review Chart Comparison (pdf)
Accelerated & Evidence-Based Resources OPI (pdf)
ESSER Section 2014 IDEA DOE 2021 (pdf)
General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Sample Responses (pdf)
Tribal Consultation Guide (pdf)

ESSER Training

ESSER II Close-Out May23 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER Overview & Compliance MASBO Presentation April 3&5 (pdf)
ESSER Allowable Reasonable Update Overview March 2023 (pdf)
Transition Planning OPI Feb23 (pdf) | (video)
Annual Federal Data Reporting, and School Plans OPI Feb23 (pdf) | (video)
Grant Management 101 OPI Jan23 (pdf) | (video)
Transition Planning OPI Jan23 (pdf) | (video)
School Plans and Federal Data Reporting OPI Jan23 (pdf) | (video)
Updating School Plans, & Annual Federal Data Reporting OPI Dec22 (pdf) | (video)
E-Grants and ESSER Grant Challenges/Errors OPI Dec22 (pdf) | (video)
Education Connectivity & Broadband OPI Dec22 (pdf) | (video)
New Superintendent & Clerk Tips OPI Nov22 (pdf) | (video)
Meaningful Stakeholder Consultation & Communication OPI Nov22 (pdf) | (video)
Final Expenditure Reports (FERs) OPI Nov22 (pdf) | (video)
E-Grants Error Messages OPI Oct22 (pdf) | (video)
E-Grants Prep & Processing - Amendments & Cash Requests OPI Oct22 (pdf) | (video) | (Excel workbook)
Audit Trail Reports & Compliance OPI Oct22 (pdf) | (video) | (pdf Process After an Audit Finding)
Allowable Use of Funds OPI Sep 22 (pdf) | (video)
E-Grants Amendments OPI Sep22 (pdf) | (video)
E-Grants Cash Requests OPI Sep22 (pdf) | (Video)

Specific

ESSER Funding Use Pannel Discussion (video)
ESSER Additional Allocation Fund Distribution (pdf)
Lost Instructional Time Guidance from DOE/USED (pdf)
Recruitment and Retention DOE Aug22 (pdf)
ESSER II Liquidation Extension DOE May23 (pdf)
ESSER II Liquidation Extension Template DOE May23 (Excel)
ESSER I Liquidation Extension FAQ DOE Dec22 (pdf)
Construction and Late Liquidation DOE May 2022 (pdf)
Construction Preventing, Preparing for or Responding to Covid CCSSO Dec 2021 (pdf)
Construction Slide DOE Sep 2021 (pdf)
Construction & Capital Expenditure DOE Oct 2021 (Video)
FAQ Maintenance of Equity DOE Jun 2021 (pdf)
Montana Broadband Access (video)
DUN UEI Fact Sheet DOE May 2022 (pdf)
Staffing Labor Shortages DOE Dec 2021 (pdf)
FAQ Use of Funds for Student Transportation DOE 2021 (pdf)
Enrollment Increase (HB630) BASE Aid Payment Guidance (pdf)
Enrollment Increases Allocation (pdf)
ESSER Fund Review Chart Comparison (pdf)
ESSER I Grant Guidelines (pdf)
ESSER II Guidance Document (pdf)
ESSER III Guidance Document (pdf)
FAQ Mode of Equity and Chart MOE February 2022 (pdf)
FAQ Mode of Equity MOE August 2021 (pdf)
FAQ Mode of Equity MOE June 2021 (pdf)
Lead Remediation Reimbursement Grant (pdf)
Lead Remediation Letter (pdf)
Lead in School Program Timeline (pdf)
Lead Map of School Building Tests as of July 25, 2022 (pdf)

Content Area One-Pagers

Allowable Use of Funds

FAQ ESSER and GEER Use of Funds DOE December 2022 (pdf)
Allowable Use of Funds OPI Sep 22 (pdf) | (video)
Utilizing ESSER Funds OPI Jun 2022 (pdf)

Allocation and Status Updates

Allocation Updates

Status Updates

District May 2023 Status Report (pdf)
District April 2023 Status Report (pdf)
District March 2023 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee March 2023 Status Report (pdf)
District February 2023 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee February 2023 Status Report (pdf)
District January 2023 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee January 2023 Status Report (pdf)
District December 2022 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee December 2022 Status Report (pdf)
District November 2022 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee November 2022 Status Report (pdf)
District October 2022 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee October 2022 Status Report (pdf)
District September 2022 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee September 2022 Status Report (pdf)
District August 2022 Status Report (pdf)
Trustee August 2022 Status Report (pdf)
June 2022 Status Report (pdf)
May 2022 Status Report (pdf)
March 2022 Status Report (pdf)
February 2022 Status Report (pdf)
December 2021 Status Report (pdf)

Manuals and Tip Sheets

Other Resources & Archived

General

ESSER Funding Timeline (pdf)
FAQ ESSER and GEER Use of Funds DOE May 2021 (pdf)
ESSER Chart Comparison DOE 2021 (pdf)
General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Sample Responses (pdf)
ESSER Training May 2021 (video)
ESSER Training June 2021 (video)
ESSER Section 2014 IDEA DOE 2021 (pdf)
Accelerated & Evidence-Based Resources OPI (pdf)
Lost Instructional Time Guidance DOE Aug 2021 (pdf)
Strategies to Utilize ESSER FutureEd Jun 2021 (pdf)

Specific

ESSER I Liquidation Extension DOE Sep22 (pdf)
ESSER I Liquidation Extension Template DOE Sep22 (Excel)
Construction Preventing, Preparing for or Responding to Covid CCSSO Dec 2021 (pdf)
Construction Slides DOE Sept 2021 (pdf)
Construction & Capital Expenditure DOE Oct 2021 (video)
FAQ Maintenance of Equity DOE June 2021 (pdf)
Staffing Labor Shortages DOE Apr 2021 (pdf)
FAQ Use of Funds for Student Transportation (pdf)
Enrollment Increase (HB630) BASE Aid Payment Guidance (pdf)
Enrollment Increases Allocation (pdf)

ESSER Training

Updating School Plans, & Annual Federal Data Reporting OPI Nov22 (pdf) | (video)
E-Grants & ESSER Grant Challenges/Errors OPI Nov22 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER Annual Report Overview OPI Oct22 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER School Plan Updates OPI Oct22 (pdf) | (video)
Capital Expenditures OPI Sep22 (pdf) | (video) | (Scope Document)
E-Grants Amendments & Cash Requests OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
Reporting & Data Compliance OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
Audit Trail Reports & Compliance OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
Navigating E-Grants OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER Impacts OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER Hall of Fame OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER National & State Overview OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
Broadband Improvement Project OPI Aug22 (pdf) | (video)
ESSER Training June 2021 (video)

Guidance

E-Grants training not specific to ESSER (Title, ESSA, etc)
ESSER Mode of Instruction Summary (pdf)
September 25th letter from Secretary DeVos on Equitable Services (pdf)
ESSER/EANS Providing Equitable Services Under the Cares Act Programs (pdf)
ESSER Equitable Share Calculation Template (pdf)
Determining Equitable Share for Private and Home Schools for the ESSER Grant (pdf)
Maintenance of Equity Section 2004(c) FY2023 (pdf)
Maintenance of Equity Section 2004(c) FY 2022 (pdf)
FAQ Maintenance of Equity DOE July 2022 (pdf)
Mode of Equity MOE and Chart February 2022 (pdf)
Mode of Equity MOE FAQ August 2021 (pdf)
Mode of Equity MOE FAQ June 2021 (pdf)
MT OPI FAQs for Montana LEAs (as of June 8, 2021) (pdf)
ESSER Consolidated Training (May 13, 2021) (video)
Announcement on Additional Support Payment (ESSER) (pdf)
OPI's Back to School Compass (August 18, 2022) (pdf)
Montana State HCY Application (pdf)
OTL Student Survey (pdf)
OTL Teacher Survey (pdf)
Stakeholder Engagement Full Report (pdf)
Montana Schools Reopening Guidance (pdf)
Congressional Letters of Support (pdf)
ARPA Internal Control & Subrecipient Monitoring Plan (pdf)
Accounting (pdf)
ESSER Funds and Processing (MASBO in Butte, June 2022) (pdf)
ARP Q&A Session 1 (June 8, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP Q&A Session 2 (June 15, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP Q&A Session 3 (June 22, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP Q&A Session 4 (June 29, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP ESSER School District (LEA) Plan Webinar Session 1 (July 13, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP ESSER School District (LEA) Plan Webinar Session 2 (July 20, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP ESSER School District (LEA) Plan Webinar Session 3 (July 27, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
ARP ESSER School District (LEA) Plan Update & Data Collection Webinar (November 18, 2021) (Slide Deck) | Video Recording
Montana School District ARP ESSER Responses (pdf)
MT OPI School District ARP ESSER Plan Template (pdf)
Montana OPI ARP ESSER State Plan (as approved by the U.S. Department of Education on August 5, 2021) Press Release | Approval Letter
FutureEd - COVID Relief Playbook: Smart Strategies for Investing Federal Funding (third-party site)
General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Sample Responses (pdf)
Accelerated & Evidence-Based Instruction (pdf)
Sample Stakeholder Survey for LEAs (pdf)
Sample District Meaningful Stakeholder Consultation Bulletin for LEAs (pdf)
Lost Instructional Time Guidance from USED (pdf)
ESSER Federal Data Collection Webinar - January 5, 2022 | Recording
ESSER Federal Data Collection Webinar - January 12, 2022 | Recording
ESSER Federal Data Collection Webinar - January 19, 2022 | Recording
ESSER Federal Data Collection Webinar - January 26, 2022 | Recording
Data Collect Tools for ESSER (pdf)
Data Collection Report Sections for ESSER (pdf)

OPI Staff are here to help:

Wendi Fawns, ESSER/EANS Director, 406-437-8595
Meet the ESSER / EANS Team