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Board hears budget uncertainty and dyslexia grant update; district planning screening and IMSE contract
Summary
District staff told the board that state budget delays are affecting multiple funding streams while reporting a new $394,000 dyslexia grant and a $750,000 grant for learning coaches.
District staff briefed the board that statewide budget uncertainty may affect several revenue streams for the school year, while reporting new grant awards and program planning tied to recently enacted dyslexia laws.
Eric Ingalls told the finance update, "there is still no work or time frame from the state on an approved state budget," and staff warned that the delay affects funding, including school lunch funding and the status of state grants for the year.
Jenny Mudge reported grant activity: last year the district had 11 grants totaling approximately $7,000,000; so far this year the district has one grant of about $750,000 to support learning-coach salaries. Separately, staff said the district was awarded $394,000 from a $35 million state grant program to support implementation of newly passed K–12 literacy and dyslexia laws (identified in the record as Public Acts 146 and 147). The district plans to contract with the IMSE Institute for Multi-Sensory Education to provide individual and small-group support for K–5 students as part of implementing the dyslexia requirements.
Staff noted the new state dyslexia laws require universal screening of every K–2 student for dyslexia characteristics in the 2027–28 school year and that students who display characteristics must be provided support; the district is using the one-time grant funding to prepare for that requirement.
Why it matters: delayed state budgets can change available funds for schools; the dyslexia grant and contract affect early literacy programming and will require staff training and implementation planning.
Discussion-only items: committee and TLT meeting reports discussed the dyslexia law requirements, grant timing and the IMSE contract for instructional support.
Direction: staff reported awarded funding and the planned IMSE contract; they will return with further budget details as state action unfolds.
