Business Manager Q & A

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) will be having a Teams meeting for WebGrants external user questions and training on Wednesday, November 16 at 11:00 a.m. CST.

• Please email Shauna Greff with questions by Monday, November 14
• Questions should be regarding:
  • General fiscal (UGG) guidance
  • NDFARMS Coding
  • Technical WebGrants

We will not go through specific program allowability as those questions should be directed to Program Managers.

To participate:

• Join on your computer or mobile app: click here to join the meeting
• Or call in (audio only) 701-328-0950, 243 399 572#

Edunomics Series

Last week's article focused on the nationwide decline in student achievement due to the pandemic. This week's article focuses on how both State and local education leaders are committed to using federal relief funding efficiently and effectively to support all students throughout their academic recovery.

• North Dakota school leaders were recently asked to complete a survey highlighting how they are using their ESSER funds to address learning loss. Highlights can be accessed here.
• State education agencies were allowed to set aside 10% of the ESSER dollars for issues pertaining to the pandemic. The NDDPI used most of our funding to support students, educators, and schools across the state. Highlights of how the NDDPI utilized funding can be accessed here.
• The CCSSO asked state chiefs how COVID relief funds were impacting their state ahead of this year's Annual Policy Forum. Check out this video series to hear how these funds are making a difference across the country.

Unused/Reallocated School Improvement Funds

Over the past two years, both the NDDPI and our local school districts have been granted an unprecedented amount of Federal funds to respond to the pandemic. Due to this influx of funding, some programs end up with unused funds. One of the funding streams that currently has excess funds is the 21-22 School Improvement grant.

As you know, the ND Strategic Vision is that “all students will graduate Choice Ready with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to be successful”. Recently, all ND schools had the opportunity to apply for a Choice Ready grant, funded with ESSER dollars through the state setaside. NDDPI had a tremendous response of over 80 applications, but there is insufficient ESSER funding to support all those submitted. In order to fully fund all qualified applications, the NDDPI would like to access excess School Improvement funds, which is allowable through ESSA, as long as we allow school districts to comment on this activity. We intend to fund the majority of Choice Ready grants using ESSER funding and the remaining Choice Ready grants with excess School Improvement funds.

Please contact Amanda Peterson at (701) 328-3545 before 5:00 p.m. on November 14, 2022, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns about this use of funds.

Greater Math in North Dakota Funding Opportunity

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) Office of Academic Support is inviting public schools and districts to participate in the Greater Math in North Dakota (>Math in ND) program through a grant application process.

Updates regarding program expectations and additional detailed information can be found at the >Math in ND website.

Application Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in this opportunity, a public school district working with students in grades 3-8 in the math content area must apply to the NDDPI.

Application Contents
1. Application
2. Assurances and Signatures

Contact Information
The points of contact for this application process are listed below. Please direct all questions and communications regarding this grant opportunity to these contact points.

Teacher Innovation Grant

Congratulations to Michael Jacobson for being chosen as the recipient of the round 4 Teacher Innovation Grant. Jacobson and his team are from Legacy High School in Bismarck and plan to use the grant funds to purchase 3D printers. These 3D printers will be used to teach CTE students about creating assistive technologies for exceptional students. Jacobson and his team plan to use a Fargo, ND company, Lulzbot, to purchase their printers.

Do you or another teacher you know have an idea for an innovative project? If so, the next round of Teacher Innovation Grants will be opening on January 11, 2023. Visit the NDDPI website or contact Taylor Olsen for more information.