Maximizing ESSER Funds: Essential Guidance for Schools

NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION NAVIGATING YOUR ESSER FUNDS Laurie Matzke and Rebecca Pollert North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

Agenda Recap of Background Information ESSER Application Process Allowable Uses of ESSER Funds Unallowable Uses of ESSER Funds Financial Management of ESSER Funding ESSER Reporting WebGrants Overview ESSER Monitoring State Level ESSER Funding Questions

Recap of Background Information CARES Act passed on March 27, 2020 Purpose: provide immediate relief to school districts due to COVID-19 $13.5 billion for elementary and secondary education formula grants called ESSER Funding The NDDPI received $33 million

ESSER Application Process NDDPI Website All key information posted on the NDDPI Website Recorded Link to the Training LEA ESSER Fund Certification and Agreement Package ESSER Fund Guidance Deadline to apply August 1, 2020 Applications approved to date - 120

Allowable Uses of ESSER Funds Coordinate emergency response Ensure preparedness and coordination Purchase cleaning supplies Unique needs of at-risk learners Educational technology Mental health supports Supplemental learning McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Coordinate long-term closures Professional development ESSA IDEA Perkins Added needs of at-risk population Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Indian, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native Act Other Activities

Unallowable Uses of ESSER Funds All expenses must be reasonable, allowable, and allocable to approved activities. The U.S. Department of Education has clarified that LEAs may not utilize ESSER funds on the following items: Bonuses, merit pay, or similar expenditures, unless related to disruptions or closures related to COVID-19 Subsidizing or offsetting executive salaries and benefits of individuals who are not LEA employees Expenditures related to state or local unions, membership organizations, or associations These funds cannot pay for salaries or regular expenses that are typically provided through state aid or local funds. This is especially important to note as the State of North Dakota has kept state aid funding whole through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial Management of ESSER Funding Coding and Tracking Funds LEAs must track these funds separately to report use of funds and expenses in the future. The following codes have been established and align with the NDSDFARM. Revenue Coding: 4590 Other Restricted Federal Revenue Project Expense Coding: 104 ESSER/CARES Funding LEAs have until September 30, 2022 to spend these funds.

ESSER Reporting The CARES Act also requires LEAs that receive ESSER funds to report certain information regarding their spending on a quarterly basis. Section 15011(b)(2), requires recipients of CARES Act funds to report: Total amount of funds received Amount spent or obligated for each project and/or activity Detailed list of all projects or activities supported with CARES Act funds Estimated number of jobs created or retained with ESSER Funds Information on subcontracts or subgrants awarded Full Transparency NDDPI must: Within 30 days after each quarter, make information in quarterly reports available on the NDDPI website Submit quarterly reports to the USED

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act District Expenditure Quarterly Report Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funding District Expenditure Quarterly Report January March: April 8th April June: July 8th July September: October 8th October December: January 8th School District County District Number School District Name District ESSER Allocation Allowable Use of Funds - Check all applicable areas where districts utilized ESSER funding Coordinate emergency response Ensure preparedness and coordination Purchase cleaning supplies Educational technology Mental health supports Supplemental learning Added needs of at-risk population Transportation Coordinate long-term closures Professional development ESSA IDEA Perkins McKinney-Vento Homeless Assist. Act Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Other activities Total amount of ESSER funds received this quarter $ Activities for which ESSER Funds were expended Name of Activity Description of Activity Amount Expended $ Estimated number of jobs created or retained with ESSER Funds Information on subcontracts or subgrants awarded Vendor/Entity Description Amount $ Name of Person Completing Form Phone Number Date Email

WebGrants Overview https://grants.nd.gov/ Click here for WebGrants ESSER funding tutorial Click here for WebGrants ESSER funding tutorial

ESSER Monitoring Listed below are the methods that NDDPI will utilize to monitor the ESSER funds for reporting purposes: Use the NDDPI grants management system, WebGrants, for collecting reimbursement and oversight purposes Have LEAs submit their ledger of expenditures with reimbursement claims to verify allowability Desk reviews of equitable services information Review Quarterly Reports to ensure allowability of expenditures

State Level ESSER Funding In May 2020, the NDDPI distributed a statewide survey to educators, family members, education groups, advocacy organizations and state lawmakers asking for input on the state set-aside funds under the CARES Act. Priorities Identified in Statewide Survey Professional development for distance teaching Digital platform for providing precision learning opportunities for students Communication and partnerships with families Address the needs of special populations (i.e., special education)

Questions? Laurie Matzke, Assistant Superintendent Division of Student Support & Innovation lmatzke@nd.gov (701) 328-2284 Rebecca Pollert, Assistant Director Fiscal Management rlpollert@nd.gov (701) 328-2615