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November 28, 2023
Prior editions of the ESEA Update can be found on the MDE ESEA Federal Title Programs webpage. "ICYMI" means "in case you missed it" and highlights when a topic is a repeat from a prior ESEA Update.
Timeline Reminders
Review the SY24 Timeline for ESEA Applications in MEGS and SERVS.
Review the SY24 Timeline for ESSER III Applications in MEGS and SERVS.
Upcoming Dates:
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December 1, 2023: Final date to close out state fiscal year 2023 in SERVS
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December 20, 2023, at 3 p.m.: SY24 Initial ESSER III Application Window Closes in MEGS
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January 19, 2024, at 3 p.m.: SY24 ESEA Consolidated Application Fall Amendment Window closes
Using Title I, Part A Funds for Preschool Programming
A local educational agency (LEA) or a Title I school can reserve a portion of its Title I, Part A allocation to support a preschool program that prepares at-risk children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Reference the Using Title I, Part A Funds for Preschool Programming document on the MDE ESEA Title I, Part A webpage for an explanation of the options and requirements when any amount of Title I funds is used to provide services to preschool children.
Contact mde.esea@state.mn.us if there are questions or clarification is needed.
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Title I, Part A Comparability of General Education Services
Each LEA that has multiple public schools in a grade span with at least one Title I school must ensure every year that a Title I school receives general education services which are at least comparable to all other schools in the grade span. It is one of three Title I, Part A fiscal requirements that are not specifically about Title I funds. It’s a fiscal test to ensure equitable distribution of state and local services to provide adequate general education. The requirements are included in the ESEA Program Assurances found in MEGS and posted on the ESEA webpage.
MDE must monitor this requirement at least once every two years. LEAs which may be subject to the requirement were recently notified that a data report of comparability this school year must be submitted by December 22. Following receipt and review of comparability reports, MDE will request documentation of written procedures and calculations from a small percentage of the LEAs.
Contact Wayne Kuklinski if there are questions about this requirement and report.
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Title I, Part A Supplement Not Supplant Written Methodology Guidance and Training
Local educational agencies (LEAs) must ensure that state and local allocations to school sites are not reduced because a school receives Title I, Part A funds. LEAs with a grade span that includes both a school that receives Title I, Part A funds and a school that does not are subject to a requirement to follow a written methodology when distributing state and local funds. An LEA is exempt if all schools in a grade span receive Title I funds.
The specific “Supplement not Supplant” requirement in ESEA Section 1118 is different from the general “supplement not supplant” rule. The latter applies to most federal funding and is based on expenditures. The requirement for Title I, Part A written methodology is based on allocations. Specifically, LEAs must demonstrate they have a written methodology and have used that methodology to allocate state and local funds to schools without considering whether a school receives Title I, Part A funds.
The Title I, Part A Fiscal Requirement: Supplement not Supplant document posted on the MDE ESEA Title I, Part A webpage provides additional information and guidance for compliance with the Title I, Part A Supplement not Supplant requirements.
All Business Managers in LEAs that are required to comply to this fiscal requirement will receive an invitation to the two repeated training opportunities to be delivered on December 11 at 10 a.m. and December 14 at 2 p.m. to support the SY2024-2025 budgeting process. Other interested individuals are welcome to request an invitation by emailing Graham Hartley.
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ESEA Title Carryover Moving from SERVS to MEGS
Districts and Charter schools that closed out school year 2023 applications and budgeted in SERVS Financial by October 31, 2023, now have the following carryover funds in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS):
- FFY21/SFY22 Finance Code 401, Course Code 012
- FFY21/SFY22 Finance Code 406, Course Code 012
- FFY21/SFY22 Finance Code 414, Course Code 012
- FFY21/SFY22 Finance Code 417, Course Code 012
- FFY21/SFY22 Finance Code 433, Course Code 012
Additionally, LEAs with closed out applications and budgets in SERVS Financial by November 10, 2023, will see the following finance codes are also in MEGS:
- FFY22/SFY23 Finance Code 401, Course Code 011
- FFY22/SFY23 Finance Code 406, Course Code 011
- FFY22/SFY23 Finance Code 414, Course Code 011
- FFY22/SFY23 Finance Code 417, Course Code 011
- FFY22/SFY23 Finance Code 433, Course Code 011
All draws against an initial SFY24 ESEA Consolidated Application in “Final Approved” status will use the oldest funding (course code 012, then 011, then 000) loaded into MEGS. An LEA may need to create an application amendment in order to see the loaded carryover funds on the “Allocations/Transfers” tab in MEGS but that is not required in order to make a draw against a “Final Approved” application.
Districts and Charter schools with funds still in SERVS Financial should plan to close out those applications and budgets as soon as possible and no later than December 1, 2023. Remaining carryover will be moved to MEGS as quickly as possible once all LEAs have closed out in SERVS Financial.
Contact MDE.ESEA@state.mn.us if there are questions about ESEA Title funds.
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ICYMI: ESSER III Carryover Moving from SERVS to MEGS
Districts and Charter schools that closed out school year 2023 applications and budgeted in SERVS Financial by November 1, 2023, now have the following carryover funds in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS):
- Finance Code 160, Course Code 013
- Finance Code 161, Course Code 013
- Finance Code 169, Course Code 012
- Finance Code 159, Course Code 013
Districts and Charter schools with funds still in SERVS Financial should plan to close out those applications and budgets as soon as possible and no later than December 1, 2023. Remaining carryover will be moved to MEGS as quickly as possible once all LEAs have closed out in SERVS Financial.
The ESSER III Initial Application Window is open and LEAs must submit by December 20, 2023, at 3 p.m. Plan to attend one of the "Completing the ESSER III Application in MEGS" sessions listed on the MDE Calendar or view the recording of a prior session.
Contact MDE.federalCOVIDfunds@state.mn.us if there are questions about ESSER III funds.
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Join the MDE Student Access and Opportunity staff for upcoming trainings. All links to join can be found on the MDE Calendar. There is no need to register unless otherwise noted.
Completing the ESSER III Consolidated Application in MEGS
This session will provide an overview of the ESSER III Consolidated Application in the Minnesota Education Grants System (MEGS). This application includes funding under finance codes 159, 160, 161, and 169. The session will be repeated multiple times; there is no need to register.
English Learner (EL) Coordinator Webinar
The English Learner (EL) Coordinator webinars are monthly web events for new and experienced EL program leaders and coordinators in Minnesota. Monthly topics vary and are based on timely information from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions to EL Education Specialists and others from MDE during each webinar.
Foster Care Point of Contact Network
The Foster Care Point of Contact (POC) Network is a statewide community of practice centered on ensuring district and charter school POCs know and understand key roles and responsibilities in supporting educational stability for students in foster care. Participants will collaborate with peers and statewide partners to share learning and leverage effective, evidence-based practices to improve student outcomes.
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New to ESEA Title Programs Networking Session – December
Each meeting will cover all things related to the implementation of activities funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Each session will include new learning and ample time for questions, answers, and networking.
ESSER III State Priority Webinar: Indigenous Education for All
This session will focus on the use of ESSER III funds for Indigenous Education for All (one of 20 state identified priorities for these funds). You will learn about program design and implementation and sustainable funding with ESSER and beyond.
Completing the ESEA Fall Amendment Window in MEGS
This session will focus on the process to complete the requirements of the fall amendment window for the ESEA Consolidated Window in MEGS that is open November 1, 2023, through January 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. The session will be repeated multiple times; there is no need to register.
McKinney-Vento Act 101
Learn the basics of homeless liaison responsibilities, including identifying students and connecting to resources through McKinney-Vento, ARP-HCY, Title I, Part A and other sources.
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