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Cumberland schools seek $250,000 Title I funding to expand translation and interpretation services
Summary
District staff recommended expanding an existing contract for translation and interpretation services to provide per‑school on‑demand interpretation codes, phone line language routing, and emergency dial‑out capacity; the finance committee heard presentations and moved to approve the request for the 2025–26 school year.
Cumberland County Schools staff asked the board’s finance committee to approve a $250,000 budget to expand an existing translation and interpretation services contract to make on‑demand interpretation available at every school and to provide per‑school codes for emergencies.
Dr. Whitley, a district staff member, said the district began using the vendor in 2023 after a request‑for‑qualifications process and that the service currently provides phone and in‑person support in many of the district’s most‑used languages. “All means all,” Dr. Whitley said when describing the goal of extending services to families who do not speak English.
What staff proposed: The district recommended using Title I funds in the 2025–26 budget year to expand from centralized language support to a structure that gives each school an allotted quota (a “dial‑out” code) for emergencies and provides an on‑demand interpreter option for scheduled meetings. Staff said the service can also be tied into school phone systems so callers can press options for English or other languages and be connected to an interpreter within about 60 seconds.
Usage and cost history: Staff reported the district has spent roughly $82,000 on the contract since 2023 and provided usage data showing higher demand in schools with larger multilingual populations. The $250,000 request would maintain current service levels and allow the district to provide each school with access codes, training for principals and a designee, and monthly usage monitoring to stay within budget.
Board discussion and vote: Committee members asked about uptake and how principals would be trained to use the system; staff said principals would each designate a staff member and receive a handbook and procedures. A motion to approve the proposed $250,000 allocation from Title I funds was made (moved by Miss Warner and seconded by Miss Musgrave). The committee proceeded to advance the item; a detailed vote tally is not recorded in the meeting transcript.
