ESSER funding discussed

SWAN VALLEY – At their meeting Jan. 11, the Swan Valley School Board discussed various projects and needs that could be funded through the use of their Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and building reserve funds. Principal Aaron Morgenstern will be sending out a survey to solicit public input to help direct the board on how they should allocate the ESSER funding.

The board discussed a list of projects and needs suggested by the teachers and staff. Many of these projects fell under physical improvements to the school including the boiler and other upgrades to the structure. Other suggested improvements fell under curriculum, technology, safety and equipment.

Morgenstern explained that part of getting the ESSER funds is gathering public feedback to help prioritize the funds. District Clerk Heather Mincey said they currently have around $190,000 - $195,000 ESSER funds to spend but they have specific categories to which the spending must adhere. The funds must be spent by the 2023-2024 school year.

Instead of putting out a list of specific projects for public comment, Morgenstern recommended they present general categories with the examples that the public can prioritize based on importance.

“That gives us the feedback we need from the community but gives us the flexibility to still accomplish the stuff we need to do,” Morgenstern said.

The board agreed with the suggestion and instructed Morgenstern to draft the survey to send out.

“We are going to take the community’s priorities into consideration and take in consideration from the staff and make what we feel is the best decision to allocate that money in the time frame that it can be spent,” said Board Chair Jimmy Boyd.

Among the list of priorities for potential ESSER funding, the board eliminated playground equipment, high jump pad, gym equipment and long jump pit because they didn’t feel like it fit into the ESSER categories. Boyd suggested they could prioritize some of these needs through funding from the building reserve. Mincey said they currently have $46,000 in the building reserve fund and there is no deadline to spend it.

When asked what needs were staff priorities, Morgenstern said the high jump pad was the highest priority due to safety concerns. And while the long jump pit is still functional, upgrades would be appreciated.

The board agreed that to accomplish a track and field program safely they should look into updating the high jump pad. They asked Morgenstern to do some research on costs and they would discuss it at future meetings.

Once the ESSER funding survey is available, Morgenstern will post it on the school website at https://www.swanvalleyelementary.org/, on the Swan Valley School’s Facebook page and make it available via hard copy at the office. For more information call the school at 406-754-2320.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Swan Valley Elementary School Office.