November 2023 ESSER Compass Bulletin

ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief)

ESSER II critical dates:

• Cash Requests were due by October 25^th, 2023.
• Final Expenditure Reports (FERs) are due by November 10^th, 2023.
• Department Of Education May 5, 2023: Notice of updated technical FAQs for liquidation extensions and an updated CRRSA liquidation extension request template.

Broadband Project Across Montana:

• Click on the map for details on Montana Broadband availability in your area

• Broadband Guidance Session will cover the Affordable Connectivity Program ($30-$75/month discount to qualifying families), Broadband funding timeline, and program overall details (Digital Opportunity Plan and Broadband 5-Year Action Plan).  Friday, November 17^th, 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. through Zoom: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/82728410383?pwd=WW01SklzcldlclRLNjlzbEtWSEFjdz09
• The States Digital Opportunity Plan is open for public comment by sending to Connectmt@mt.gov
• For more information on the Broadband project contact Allison Agostino (406 202-7685) for details.

District Monthly Status Reports (allocated and expended) can be viewed on the OPI ESSER webpage.

OPI ESSER Review/Monitoring Process: As part of federal ESSER compliance OPI is performing several monitoring activities. OPI has been assisting LEAs in mitigating risks to avoid audit findings by reviewing requests for funding and providing assistance with compliance. Email sent to all Superintendents, Authorized Representatives, Clerks, and Trustees from September 18^th to 20^th, 2023.

Guidance on New Employment Transition Planning: Thursday, November 16^th 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. through Zoom

https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/87831497455?pwd=dlNvd1JSbUhGSGljK1UwV2ZIMGZDdz09

ESSER ELO (Extended/Expanded Learning Opportunity) Grant:

• ESSER ELO (Extended/Expanded Learning Opportunity) Grant funding available for the 2023-24 School Year (Afterschool) and Summer 2024 focuses on Math and/or Reading Literacy.
• Please contact Allison Agostino at agostino@mt.gov or visit the ELO Website page.

E-Grants Budget and Cash Request Descriptions must be reviewed to ensure there is adequate detail provided. For more information and specific guidance, please click here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTOPI/bulletins/310cc35

• Amendment, Budget Page description questions, please contact Rebecca Brown at brown@mt.gov
• Cash Request and Final Expenditure Report questions, please contact Steve Morgan at morgan@mt.gov
• Capital Expenditures and/or larger projects, please contact Wendi Fawns at fawns@mt.gov

Many resources are available on the OPI ESSER webpage including but not limited to:

• Department of Education ESSER FAQ
• All previous Compass newsletters (2021-22) (2023)
• Broadband Modernization project information

For further information please contact:

Wendi Fawns, ESSER/EANS Director at wendi.fawns@mt.gov  (406) 437-8595   

Rebecca Brown, ESSER Program Manager at rebecca.brown@mt.gov (406) 437-4795

Allison Agostino, Project Communication Specialist and Broadband at allison.agostino@mt.gov (406) 202-7685

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.