[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6175379,"mediaKeyId","5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69","parentId",5357136,"title","Council Rock SD says $245,000 in federal Title grants are under review; board to consider resolution asking lawmakers to reinstate funds","audioSeconds",482,"startMs",4586000,"endMs",5068000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69&start=4586&end=5068","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69/thumbnail_4586000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6175379/Pennsylvania/Council-Rock-SD-says-245000-in-federal-Title-grants-are-under-review-board-to-consider-resolution-asking-lawmakers-to-reinstate-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175379-baed76dcd1d54e097757e7502e6a65de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443000&Signature=T2FjstUdXCrZx40MhM~IbUwAUNxp8LwDfLiEIBmit3SGDayhZ5X6wvtgKthHVVQAcEl0NPCHJCWCtMAcGO-ukYvfuoKRQzMcUogSxTrJ17rdbQeg3xUssYBUy7BuJzgmhoYD-9L5w5GN7M8UmCBOa8tsrHRdlf~Tt26DGOkLoUMVppJrEjPo~KSVuIgsX5VSpd-6eQHsbOPkXl5qYtTgSsp~u06SDfON0ydPb8WlXTuSWZ5eTMXKbpRcky3f6dcixXf~HQYQy-3mYDXECN2UjkM1d5xmmmSd2K2AYr88ZaI9022F1Hcs0oKmQdPQ3gXwTTR5F9BIBxdpIgn6nufJgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-11T00:49:02.067Z","article","Council Rock School District officials reported to the Finance Committee on July 10 that the U.S. Department of Education has removed several Title grant application pages while conducting a federal review, temporarily blocking districts from submitting or receiving funds the district had budgeted for 2025‑26.

Tony Rapp said the state (Pennsylvania Department of Education) removed five Title program application pages on June 30 after the federal department informed PDE it would not be awarding the grants on July 1 as expected. Rapp listed three Title grants the district had anticipated and budgeted for 2025‑26: Title II‑A (supporting effective instruction) at $154,459; Title III (English learner support) at $63,499; and Title IV‑A (student support and academic enrichment) at $25,495. Rapp said Title I-A (improving basic programs) was not affected and would continue as planned.

Why it matters: the affected grants collectively total approximately $245,000 in expected federal funds that the district had included in its budgeting for personnel and instructional aides. Rapp told the committee the district could continue programming without an immediate personnel change but that the missing federal money increases the district’s projected budget deficit by the same amount unless the funds are restored.

Board members and administrators discussed next steps. Ed Tate circulated a draft resolution—prepared with staff and patterned on a similar measure from another district—asking federal representatives to restore or reinstate the Title grants. Rapp and other administrators suggested putting a short, revised resolution on the next school board agenda and invited board members to propose language edits. Several board members asked staff to limit incendiary language and to ensure the resolution does not incorrectly imply immediate program cuts.

Rapp said the administration and business office had informed staff in relevant programs that, at present, no staffing reductions or program changes are planned while the situation is under review. The committee agreed staff should proceed with outreach in coordination with board leadership; the draft resolution was to be circulated by email for edits before appearing on the board agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee: July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council Rock School District officials reported to the Finance Committee on July 10 that the U.S. Department of Education has removed several Title grant application pages while conducting a federal review, temporarily blocking districts from submitting or receiving funds the district had budgeted for 2025‑26.","taxTitle","Council Rock SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",72557,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6175384,"Council Rock SD budgets roughly $477,000 for LETRS structured‑literacy training required under Act 55",200,2620000,2820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69&start=2620&end=2820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69/thumbnail_2620000.jpg","/articles/6175384/Pennsylvania/Council-Rock-SD-budgets-roughly-477000-for-LETRS-structuredliteracy-training-required-under-Act-55","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175384-e601cab982f98ced06089acd3ab04f32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443000&Signature=B-lr4KaSn76etJt-U5zMk4DZX2HuT4OTkSpTPhYKJb-AioCf5DLYtXuVxBL8jmi51U9rmtm3k1cU5bgQlBK1wjtQjQq49Pe~fJg55QCii68Qi5BbQOBcuVPDzoi6JohxTvdGvwwG1~yOTW2N-G~gok8k56NTVao9rR8aBhHXmFtRLlkjaI~GO1nAH98W33NGurJJitB3Zn9XUjQHfh569fMmbA1wCMvgN2GC7X1NYWxSNy~VZPPKjsoyJIrdyYwJL~XbFdUb~j7LOS1~EeZfUceZc6yrOu3v8jZ9awEF7Q3StQCjn9LVP2yUvXVSH0J2BXwJ8SD4ZCRAYY5eDI~vnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Rock School District staff told the Finance Committee on July 10 they plan to fund multi‑year structured‑literacy professional development under Pennsylvania’s Act 55, using a mix of district budgeting and prepaid expense accounting.

Tony Rapp, the district’s director of business administration, described two principal purchases tied to LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling): cohort training for 200 additional teachers and 25 administrators. Rapp said administrators’ participation is budgeted at $27,007.50, and the district is purchasing 200 teacher licenses for $450,009.51; the administration described the total as a two‑year program and said the accounting treatment will spread expense across fiscal years.

Why it matters: Act 55 requires structured‑literacy professional development for certain certificated employees. Rapp said the district chose to expand participation beyond early grades so structured literacy practices continue through upper grades; administrators and special‑education and ELL staff are included in the cohorts. Staff also described related purchases to extend structured‑literacy practice (ASPIRE training, Wilson training) for middle and secondary staff and to certify at least one Wilson‑trained teacher in each building over time.

Board members pressed on cost, vendor choice and alternatives. Michael Roosevelt noted the program’s cost and that LETRS is a dominant provider in the marketplace; he said, “it sounds a bit like a monopoly,” and asked whether intermediate units or other providers could deliver required training. Rapp and Dr. Sanko said the Bucks County Intermediate Unit had capacity constraints and that the Lexia/LETRS vendor could support larger cohorts more quickly. Rapp added there is currently no state subsidy to offset the district expense.

Staff emphasized that the purchase is budgeted and that a portion of the cost will be recorded as a prepaid expense because the program spans two fiscal years. The administration also said previous cohorts trained through the intermediate unit will continue and that the district is transitioning some participants to Lexia’s offering so the district can reach the target number of trained teachers more quickly.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the planned cohorts and continue to report budget implications to the board. Board members asked administrators to continue exploring delivery options and confirm how the expenditures meet Act 55 requirements.","The district told the Finance Committee it will fund multi‑year LETRS cohorts for hundreds of teachers and administrators to meet Pennsylvania Act 55 requirements. Board members asked about alternatives, program scope and state funding support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6175388,"Council Rock SD reviews multiple education software renewals totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars",1565,121000,1686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69&start=121&end=1686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6175388/Pennsylvania/Council-Rock-SD-reviews-multiple-education-software-renewals-totaling-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175388-891680437313da515f1fe07910222b4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443000&Signature=NpU7G5xfrQXfnyjZqljjR4F2GSWUs5CQiAHKlCoZG0HNrPV-23H7FbgenRzEa~PvyXv5voDrhiCmXssoLlwzlhWI9ctiDY~yEKAwgLR9R7nTaLd-aqlMvaTK1QpxTqH1CpfwtGZVWllw4uJ9G8Riri~MCBOTqk-veiYs0nf8ES4Gta9WAOSU~g0khw8HKL7ETPdqLdtpK1tBtsqS5fDzvJYemm4eHc8koCl4gexVLFOlwdqhSszUEImUhXE6UIM5UsPOuYgWPBqD1sQrqGe6sKwxzP~Tqj7VCObrfnfNvdCtMvF~aXniNgiFqnry8ORqelZVWMmM7jUp0kg4tOmNRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Rock School District finance leaders presented a package of software renewals and new subscriptions at the Finance Committee meeting Thursday, July 10, detailing costs, uses and staff training plans for the coming year.

The renewals and purchases cover assessment and intervention tools, classroom content and district administrative systems. Tony Rapp, the district’s director of business administration, outlined the largest items, including a three‑year renewal for the DIBELS‑linked Amplify (listed as an MClass/DIBELS license) for $126,225; a yearly renewal for the Tyler Munis financial and HR system for $165,069.62; and a site license for BrainPOP packages for $52,095.62. Other items on the agenda included ClassLink ($37,000), Kami ($37,800), the Raptor visitor‑management system ($44,313.51), Edpuzzle ($25,950), a National Geographic online history package ($33,350) and a Newsela K–8 subscription (about $40,000), among others.

Why it matters: the systems support screening, classroom instruction, curriculum access and district operations. Dr. Andy Sanko, the superintendent, said the DIBELS tool is the district’s universal screener at the elementary level and “gives us information as to how we can best serve the kids when it comes to reading.” He cautioned the board that such screeners are one data point among several.

Board members asked for more empirical evidence that specific products improve outcomes and for improvements in parent reporting and distribution. Michael Roosevelt and others requested data showing whether screener‑driven interventions led to measurable student gains; Rapp and Dr. Sanko said usage and outcome data exist and can be shared. Matthew McCarthy, the district’s tech integration lead, demonstrated classroom uses for Kami, saying the tool “takes any PDF and makes it interactive,” which he said teachers and students used during and after the pandemic.

Committee members also pressed staff on operational issues: printing and distributing screener reports, timeliness of parent notification, IT and legal review of purchases, and how the district prevents redundant purchases when teachers procure tools independently. Rapp said all purchases are reviewed by IT and the solicitor and that the district is actively compiling a districtwide inventory and usage schedule so teachers, administrators and the board can see what is available by grade level, renewal date and cost.

The committee did not record formal votes on the individual renewals during the meeting. Rapp said the costs were measured in the adopted budget; board members agreed it would be useful to review the full catalog of district digital resources in a future education committee meeting this fall.

Next steps: staff will share usage and outcome data for major products on request and continue building a centralized list of district licenses and renewal dates for board and teacher access.","At its July 10 Finance Committee meeting, Council Rock School District staff detailed a slate of software renewals and new purchases for classroom instruction, administration and safety. Board members pressed for usage data, faster parent reporting and a consolidated district inventory of digital resources.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6175375,"Council Rock SD recommends staying with successor firm CliftonLarsonAllen for audit as district weighs RFP option",504,4048000,4552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69&start=4048&end=4552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5357136-a141aca9d388497f3fc1eebe8d17fd69/thumbnail_4048000.jpg","/articles/6175375/Pennsylvania/Council-Rock-SD-recommends-staying-with-successor-firm-CliftonLarsonAllen-for-audit-as-district-weighs-RFP-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175375-e09e36f733bbe71d574e09d647bc4dc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443000&Signature=fmsnvZx-KFyusdnslQUxrzMVr7y~36AC6F9Zx3vryQPN2skFni2HxgOqwGHLyZ0aKyGkW55B9-yMlXt1WX7Dblw09a~I2BwYpexolYvyW6kdXhZLzNolnsos7~3LcpqyJB3UAdjVSOOmzWMxdOwkSEssdgG7c9DCJBertgjhkz-lcEAv-qnBL5ZsI8JLW0qjb6TAOOZu4qPbuuvKkNoPtQiubmEtW-Q5JO~K2ioyljRdN4-AR0C7-iol75-PASXyrMWJIjxQcGwFrr2~QZfcTaykj2pFkNpp28Qa86-EfpHtxlkqHbDhVMBUtZfqEIuhzDuQqoY~kDGyLuw2-1ZqhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council Rock School District administration told the Finance Committee on July 10 that the firm that had conducted the district’s audit was sold to CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) and that administrators recommend staying with the successor practice unless the board requests a request‑for‑proposals process.

Tony Rapp explained the 2023–24 audit was delayed last year and attributed the problem to understaffing at the prior practice. He said CLA, a national firm that conducts the state audit, has a larger government practice and the staffing resources to meet the district’s timing requirements. Rapp said an engagement letter and fee would still be brought to the board for approval; he said CLA had indicated the district’s fee should remain similar to prior years, aside from normal annual increases.

Board members said they were willing to accept the administration’s recommendation but asked for a commitment to return to an RFP if the district experiences similar service issues next year. Rapp said staff would bring the firm’s engagement letter to the board and would monitor the September audit schedule to confirm timely completion.

The committee did not vote on the selection at the meeting; staff said they would present an engagement letter and a recommended motion to the full board for approval.","After audit delays last year linked to understaffing at its prior firm, district officials told the Finance Committee CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) has acquired the prior practice and can provide the staff resources the district needs. Administration recommended continuing with the successor firm but offered to proceed to an RFP if the board prefers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council Rock SD says $245,000 in federal Title grants are under review; board to consider resolution asking lawmakers to reinstate funds

Council Rock SD budgets roughly $477,000 for LETRS structured‑literacy training required under Act 55

Council Rock SD reviews multiple education software renewals totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars

Council Rock SD recommends staying with successor firm CliftonLarsonAllen for audit as district weighs RFP option