Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lehi told the school board on Aug. 18 that a recent change to the way the state distributes federal Title I funds has created what she described as inequitable outcomes.
Dr. Lehi said the district expected roughly $90,000 in Title I funding but instead sees about $110,000, while other districts saw much larger swings: “There’s a net loss of 9 districts that were eligible for Title I in the past that are no longer eligible,” she said, and estimated roughly 1,700 fewer students statewide receive Title I services under the new census model. She added: “I just don't think it's the right change.”
The superintendent explained the issue arises from a shift to a census-based allocation that counts resident students in areas rather than where children attend school; she said that produces outliers such as a district of about 20 students receiving about $130,000 this year while other districts see per‑pupil allocations that average $380–$470 but range up to $23,000 per student.
Why it matters: Title I funds target extra academic supports for students from low‑income families; changes in eligibility or allocation can change which schools can run remedial reading or math programs and which students receive services.
Board members and district staff said they will press the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for change and convene stakeholders. Dr. Lehi said she will meet with DPI later this month and recommended forming a stakeholder group to review the funding model.
District clarifications provided at the meeting: the state reduced its block grant by about $2 million, which affected overall calculations; the district reported the per‑student averages and gave several concrete examples of outlier allocations that drove concern. No formal board action to change Jamestown’s Title I budget was taken at the meeting; Dr. Lehi said the district would continue advocacy and return with recommended next steps.
The board meeting packet also included other budget and grant items discussed separately, including a notice of intent for 21st Century after‑school funding and a summary of capital projects performed over the summer.