School Board reallocates Title 1 funding to prioritize highest need schools

The Wake County Schools Student Achievement Committee convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss critical funding changes and their implications for student support across the district. A significant focus of the meeting was the reallocation of Title I funding, which is designed to assist schools with high numbers of low-income students.

During the meeting, it was revealed that six schools would no longer qualify for Title I funding due to changes in the district's budget and funding formula. This decision was primarily driven by a need to balance the budget amid decreasing revenue projections. The committee emphasized that while this shift may seem abrupt, it had been anticipated and planned for over the past year. To mitigate the impact on affected schools, the district has allocated $1.6 million in locally appropriated funds for the upcoming school year to serve as a transitional support measure.

The discussions highlighted the importance of targeted funding, particularly for schools with the highest needs. Committee members noted that the greatest academic challenges were often found in schools with the highest percentages of students eligible for free and reduced lunch. The goal of the funding adjustments is to concentrate resources where they are most needed, rather than spreading them too thinly across more schools.

In addition to funding changes, the committee addressed the importance of family engagement in supporting student achievement. Wake County Schools has committed to setting aside 3% of its overall budget for family engagement initiatives, significantly exceeding the federal requirement of 1%. This funding will support various programs aimed at enhancing family involvement in education, which is crucial for student success.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring the impact of these funding changes and to ensure that all schools, particularly those transitioning away from Title I status, receive the necessary support to maintain educational quality. The committee expressed a dedication to ongoing evaluation of funding effectiveness and the implementation of best practices to foster student achievement across the district.