HELENA, Mont. - The presidentâs signature on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) means an appropriation of $122,774,800,000 will be available to the Department of Educationâs Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund (ESSER III) to be shared amongst the 50 states. According to a press release, Montanaâs portion is estimated at $400,000,000. These dollars have yet to reach Montana but will be available through the end of September 2023 with a possible one-year extension.
âOur Montana schools are open for learning,â Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said. âThese federal dollars emphasize healing from the disruption caused by the coronavirus and focus on enhanced learning for summer and after school opportunities. Local control at the district level will dictate the manner these funds will be spent to support the unique needs of students.â
Knox County Schools administrators plan to use the bulk of its share of the latest federal COVID-19 relief package to cover costs associated with virtual learning, as well as preparing for anticipated costs for next school year.
Knox County Schools will receive $50.8 million from the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund 2.0. Large portions will go toward filling virtual teacher positions, buying new textbooks and materials and continuing the technology plan that gives each student a laptop.
At Wednesday night s work session, school board members discussed how the money will be broken down to pay for costs from the previous school year and to sustain virtual learning options in the future.