ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief)
|
Looking Ahead:
No cash requests or Final Expenditure Reports (FERs) will be processed in July due to fiscal year-end closing. Submissions in July will be processed in August. For more information, click here.
|
|
 |
ESSER II critical dates:
Requests for extensions may be considered. Please see below for more information.
E-Grants Budget and Cash Request Descriptions must be reviewed to ensure there is adequate detail provided. The increase in detail is needed in response to OPI audit findings.
If you see cash requests being returned to your district more frequently, please look through your descriptions and make sure it ties to what your original grant application states. If changes are needed to your application, please submit an amendment before creating another cash request.
For more information and specific guidance, please click here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTOPI/bulletins/310cc35
July's ESSER Guidance Sessions will occur between July 11-13 via Zoom virtual meeting. This month will be focusing on ESSER Grant Reviews and Monitoring.
More information will be sent out as we get closer to these guidance sessions. All past Guidance Sessions have been recorded and posted on the OPI ESSER Webpage.
OPI Review Process: OPI is assisting LEAs in mitigating risks to avoid audit findings by reviewing requests for funding and providing assistance with compliances. During June through August, we will be contacting schools to conduct monitoring assessments and helping to strengthen ESSER documentation. Contact Wendi Fawns, ESSER Director for assistance (wendi.fawns@mt.gov)
 |
|
Looking Back and Viewing Updates:
The thermometer image showing Montana ESSER/EANS spend-down can be viewed on the OPI ESSER webpage. Let’s keep up the great work as we finish out ESSER CRRSA II and ESSER ARP III!
|
As of 6/1/2023 there were 77 LEAs who had over 51% of their ESSER II funds remaining to be spent.
District Monthly Status Reports view of allocated and expended funds can be found on the OPI ESSER webpage here.
New Faces:
Allison Agostino has joined the ESSER Team as the Project and Communications Specialist.
Allison Agostino is a Montana native who grew up in Stevensville Montana on a small family farm that her parents still run. Now living in Glendive Montana, Allison started her career as a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Specialist learning the world of public health and community development. She has spent the last four years building relationships, leading community groups, putting down roots, and never saying no to a challenge. Allison has invested a lot of time in community work, she has served as President of her local Rotary Club, active Chairman of her community coalition, board member of the Montana Prevention Certification Board, Chairman of a local recreational group, and more. Allison also works with her local schools as much as possible, helping with Suicide Prevention Campus Walks, Mental Health Murals, community service project, basketball tournaments, and as an assistant Speech and Debate Coach. She enjoys painting, graphic design, video games, and a good book when she’s not spending time with her family and small army of dogs.
|
The Broadband Modernization project information can be found here: https://opi.mt.gov/COVID-19-Information/ESSER/Broadband
ESSER Safety Security Reimbursement Request: In compliance with ESSER requirements and in supporting school safety, OPI is making available $200 reimbursement to schools for performing Safety/Security needs assessments. Compliances of reimbursement are here. If interested in receiving the $200 assessment reimbursement please submit a request with documentation (certification) into the portal here.
OPI is committed to a system of support for school districts, students, and parents throughout Montana that provides an array of services. Individual district consultation on ESSER funding is available upon request. Please reach out to Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov to schedule a time for your district.
Many resources are available on the OPI ESSER webpage including:
Questions? Contact:
Wendi Fawns, ESSER/EANS Director at wendi.fawns@mt.gov
Rebecca Brown, ESSER Program Manager at rebecca.brown@mt.gov
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
|
