SIA Update

A few weeks ago, the SIA team shared a list of items we were actively working on in response to the decisions made about the Student Investment Account during the legislative special session held in August. This message provides an update on what’s been done as well as a preview for items still in progress that we’ll finalize in the coming weeks.

What’s Done: 

• Revised allocation estimates have been released for: 
• School districts, 
• Charter schools eligible to apply independently, 
• Charter schools eligible to apply as part of a district, and 
• State-sponsored charters.
• A process for moving through approved SIA applications as well as plan/budget amendments has been drafted and is pending State Board of Education approval. A graphic representation of the process is included below.

Our team looks forward to sharing more updates with you in the coming weeks as we move through the items listed above. As always, we remain deeply appreciative of you and your patience as we’ve navigated a revised SIA roadmap. Finally, we continue to invite you to reach out to SIAinfo@state.or.us if you have any questions or need any additional support as we move forward.

This Week’s Frequently Asked Question

Q: Earlier this summer we received a status update that we needed to make changes to our SIA application and/or provide additional information in order to meet application requirements. We’ve since submitted those changes and/or additional information needed, but haven’t received a follow-up status update. Is there anything else we need to do at this point? 

A: First, thank you for proactively submitting the needed changes to your original application! As you may remember from the status update communication, we were not requiring applicants to submit any changes until we learned from the August special session if and at what level the Student Investment Account would be moving forward. Since we’ve learned about the future of the SIA, our team is starting to review and approve submitted changes and additional information. Upon reviewing the additional information provided, we will reach out to confirm that you’ve met requirements or notify you if any other information is needed. Simultaneously, our team will be presenting temporary rules to the State Board of Education for approval, allowing us to move forward with both the process for plan/budget amendments and amended grant agreements.

If you were waiting to submit the needed changes or additional information needed until learning about the path forward for the SIA, rest assured, you haven’t missed a deadline to submit it! In the coming weeks, a member of our team will follow-up  with a reminder of what information we still need in order to meet the original application requirements and we encourage you to submit this information by October 1. In the meantime, if you are ready to submit the changes or additional information at this time, please email SIAInfo@state.or.us.

News & Resources

• Share how your district or school is centering mental health as you welcome and connect with students this upcoming school year.
• Find previously shared SIA News and Status Updates. 
• Learn more about the submitted SIA Plans on our webpage. 
• See the Ready Schools, Safe Learners webpage, which includes the latest 3.7.5 version of the guidance, the school metrics dashboard, and additional resources for how public and private schools will take next steps to plan for the 2020-21 school year. Operational Blueprints should be submitted here, if you haven’t yet submitted it.

Please send any questions or comments to SIAInfo@state.or.us.  You’ve been automatically added to this listserv based on your role, but you can manage your subscription as needed. We encourage you to share this message with new staff in your school/district who may be interested in receiving these weekly updates.