School Administrators of Montana

SAM Advocacy Issues

SAM Advocacy Issues 2022-23

SAM 2022 Advocacy Positions and Resolutions as approved by the SAM membership at the 2022 SAM Annual Meeting at MCE 2022 on October 21 establishes the SAM Advocacy Platform for entering the 2023 Legislative Session.

Results of the SAM Delegate Assembly 2022 are prepared for the SAM Membership Meeting on October 21 at MCEL

SAM DA 2022 Recommendations for SAM Membership Meeting 10-21-22


SAM Advocacy Issues 2021-22

SAM Delegate Assembly 2022 webpage provides information for SAM Delegate Assembly 2022, scheduled for June 9-10 in Helena at the Best Western Premier Great Northern Hotel. Review the important actions taken by SAM DA 22 on June 10, 2022 -- Summary of SAM Delegate Assembly 2022 Actions Markup and SAM DA Delegate Packet 2022 for Action 6.10.22 with Recommended Revisions from Affiliate Caucuses and Action by DA 6.10.22 Markup. 

The SAM Call for Delegate Assembly Positions Resolutions 2022 was distributed to SAM membership on February 12, 2022 - request of all SAM members to submit Positions and/or Resolutions to be considered by SAM Delegate Assembly 2022.  Deadline for submitting is April 29, 2022.

Federal Issues followed by SAM

2023-24 Federal Issues followed by SAM:

SAM Affiliates have reviewed SAM's Positions and Resolutions as they relate to Federal Issues and Congress and developed the following resources for SAM members to use when discussing federal issues in 2021-22 ... 

One page document for Federal Issues Advocacy -- SAM Federal Advocacy Priorities 2023-24

SAM's Positions and Resolutions as they relate to Federal Issues and Congress past resources for SAM members  ... 
   One page document for Federal Issues Advocacy -- SAM Federal Advocacy Priorities 2020-21   
   One page document for use on advocacy for Federal Issues --  SAM Federal Advocacy Priorities 2019-20
   One page document for use on advocacy for Federal Issues -- SAM Federal Advocacy Priorities 2018-19
   Full document of SAM Federal Positions and Resolutions -- SAM Federal Advocacy Priorities w Positions 2017-18


Contemporary Federal Issues with Positions taken by SAM as approved by the SAM Delegate Assembly Steering Committee and the SAM Affiliate Federal Relations Coordinators (SAM Federal Advocacy Team)

5/18/22  Districts May Have Until April 2026 to Spend American Rescue Plan Funds on HVAC and Facility Improvements.  After months of lobbying efforts, the U.S. Department of Education sent a LETTER to AASA on Friday, May 13, clarifying that districts may have until April 2026 to spend American Rescue Plan funds on HVAC and facility improvements.

The letter also provides the following new information:

  • Districts could have an additional 18 months to liquidate all ESSER I and ESSER II spending.
  • Any ESSER-funded contract for goods and services outside of construction or facilities (such as curriculum, tutoring or mental health services) could be eligible for an 18-month liquidation extension if the contract is signed before the statutorily set obligation timeline and the State Education Agency approves of the LEA request for extended liquidation.

We have heard from countless AASA members during the pandemic that inflation, supply chain delays and worker shortages have made spending ESSER funding, particularly for school facility projects, extremely difficult. Because of AASA’s advocacy efforts on your behalf, we are pleased the U.S. Department of Education is now considering an overall 18-month extension for school facilities projects and upgrades for all ESSER spending.
 
While this clarity is enormously helpful, we will remain vigilant in working to improve ARP flexibility for districts. Because states must apply for this timeline flexibility on behalf of districts and it is not automatic, we will be in close contact with our friends at the state level to ensure that every state applies for an extension when the application is made available.

AASA will continue a broader campaign in Congress to extend the obligation deadline for ARP funds, so superintendents have more time to employ critical staff, continue to purchase technology and utilize ARP funding as effectively as possible to address the learning needs of your students.
 
You can read our statement in response to USED's request here. We encourage you to share this updated information with private sector partners and contractors right away.
3/31/22  A great overview of the FY 23 Appropriations for Education -- AASA FY23 Appropriations Process - What you Should Know 3.31.22 

2/3/22  Montana Superintendent, Laurie Barron stresses the importance of extending the timeline for the use of federal ARPA funding for school upgrades in AASA's efforts to influence action by the U.S. Department of Education.  Ed Dept asked to extend deadline for school upgrades under relief funding _ K-12 Dive Laurie Barron for AASA 2.3.22 describes the advocacy at the grass roots level - thanks Dr. Barron!

2/2/22  Montana administrators participated in the first regional roundtable discussion with U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona on 1/28/22.  As a result of this conversation, many resources related to COVID impact on our schools have been identified and are available to you at  U.S. Department of Education_Region Conversation w Ed Secretary Cardona 1-28-22 - Resources 2.2.22.

1/19/22 Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests.  See https://www.covidtests.gov/ for information and placing orders.