Oregon Department of Education - Oregon Achieves Together

Important Update: HSS Funding and Next Steps

Oregon Department of Education sent this bulletin at 09/30/2024 09:55 AM PDT

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To: Superintendents, ESDs, K-12 Public Information Officers
From: Cassie Medina, Assistant Superintendent
Date: September 30, 2024
Re: Important Update: HSS Funding and Next Steps

Dear School Leaders,

I wanted to follow up on our previous communication regarding the recent funding changes within the HSS program and provide some important updates.

Explanation of the Situation

As was previously communicated, it was recently discovered that ODE was unable to carry over $19.4 million in HSS funding from the 2021-2023 biennium into the 2023-2025 biennium. This resulted in a loss of access to the 2021-2023 carryover, impacting district allocations from initial estimates to final awards.

Background and Context

Since 2017, the HSS program followed a model where the performance period extended from July to August at the end of each biennium, creating a summer extension and allowing for a stable cash flow between bienniums. For example, during the 2021-2023 biennium, grantees were able to continue spending those funds through August 31, 2023. However, after recent discussions with state partners, ODE was informed that carrying over funds is not possible moving forward.

As a result, ODE revised the performance period beginning with the 2023-2025 biennium. We initially communicated these changes in April 2024, advising grantees to adjust their budgets and plans to ensure that all funds from the 2023-2025 biennium are utilized by June 30, 2025. Unfortunately, ODE learned that this change impacted summer 2024 operations more than we had anticipated.

Good News and Next Steps

I’m pleased to inform you that last week, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) requested a one-time increase in limitation from the legislative Emergency Board to allocate the remaining funds from the 2021-2023 biennium, which was approved. This will increase the statewide allocations by nearly $19.5 million, bringing them closer to the estimates ODE previously shared in April 2024.

Our team is diligently calculating the new allocations, preparing grant amendments, and adjusting subgrant amounts in EGMS. We will provide more details in the coming weeks.

Thank you again for your partnership and understanding as we navigate this process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Cassie Medina at cassie.medina@ode.oregon.gov with any questions or concerns.

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