Board reviews Opportunity Academy waiver and Title I Part C–funded migrant services

The board reviewed a report on the Opportunity Academy, the district’s dropout recovery program, and discussed the district’s annual waiver to the Texas Education Agency that allows attendance and funding treatment for students in the program. School staff described the Opportunity Academy as a program for students who need an alternate pathway to graduation; one teacher at the Lone Star building and support staff coordinate individualized graduation plans so students can make steady progress. Staff said the waiver (the district’s optional flexible school day program waiver to the Texas Education Agency) allows the district to record attendance and receive funding without penalizing the district when students are not present under the waiver’s rules. Trustees and staff also discussed migrant services. Staff said that the district previously contracted with Region 19 for migrant services and that Region 19 had borne responsibility for outreach and certain services; the district plans to restore a district position to serve migrant families directly. The transcript records an approximate figure of about $60,000 in Title I Part C funds available in the current year to pay for the migrant position and associated migrant tutors and supports; staff said Title I Part C is a federal program and the position would be funded with those federal dollars rather than general local funds. Board members asked procedural questions about enrollment caps, course completions and how Opportunity Academy seats are assigned; staff said the waiver limits class sizes to 28 students per teacher under the waiver rules and that the program had completed a substantial number of courses despite enrollment fluctuations. Trustees agreed to address outstanding questions and to coordinate review of the waiver and the district’s plan to restore migrant services; the transcript shows staff indicated the waiver and services require timely approval and that the item might be added or finalized before the school-year deadline.