ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief)
ESSER Close-Out Process began in July 2024, contact Kimberly Kelly at kimberly.kelly@mt.gov or (406) 594-9295 to schedule an appointment. Note this process is different than the E-Grants Final Expenditure Report (FER). It includes a full review of ESSER I, II & III Budget Pages and other relevant documentation. Please complete a Return Funds form if you are returning awarded funds for any reason.
- An email on ESSER spending and compliances for each District was sent in July to start the Close-Out Process.
- If you did not receive an email by July 15, 2024, check your spam and contact ESSER Meet the Team.
ESSER III Closeout Deadlines
ESSER Compliances (delays may occur in ESSER III if below are incomplete)
Thank you to all entities that have completed their ESSER Compliances.
ESSER System of Support includes 6 days/week via Zoom, phone, email, text, and in person.
ESSER III Funding Requests (expenditures, cash requests, request for reimbursements):
ESSER III 20% Set-Aside - Schools cannot return Lost Instructional Time (LIT) funds
- Schools are required to spend 20% of ESSER III on Lost Instructional Time (LIT).
ESSER ELO (Extended/Expanded Learning Opportunity) Grant (Math/Reading Literacy).
Cybersecurity Pilot Program from CCSSO announcement August 2, 2024
On June 6, the FCC announced [docs.fcc.gov] a three-year, $200 million Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. The pilot program will allow the FCC to obtain actionable data about which cybersecurity services and equipment would best help K-12 schools and libraries address the growing cyber threats and attacks against their broadband networks. The program will also allow the Commission to gather the data needed to better understand whether and how funds could be used to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries and to share lessons learned. The pilot program will make $200 million available to participating schools and libraries to defray the costs of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment. These funds are separate from the Commission’s E-Rate program, to ensure gains in enhanced cybersecurity do not undermine E-Rate’s success in connecting schools and libraries.
Expansion of E-Rate for Wi-fi Hotspots at Home:
On July 18, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve final rules to allow schools and libraries to utilize E-Rate resources to provide Wi-Fi hotspots for internet access for students without a reliable connection at home. FCC will require that hotspots and services are used primarily for educational purposes, are not funded through other sources, and uses are properly documented for auditing purposes.
OPI Posted Resources:
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
Kimberly Kelly, Administrative Specialist at Kimberly.Kelly@mt.gov (406) 594-9295
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.
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