Powhatan board reviews $865,085 special education grant plan; Head Start slots restored

Powhatan County Public Schools presented its Part B special education annual plan to the board, detailing how the division would use $865,085 in federal special education funds for the coming year. The plan allocates money for two lead teachers, 7.5 special-education classroom teachers, partial administrative and school-psychologist salaries, contracted related services (including occupational and physical therapy), speech services and professional development, with benefits included in the totals.

Staff said the plan includes set-aside funds for contracted related services, training and support and that the application was reviewed by the Special Education Advisory Committee as required. The grant total presented to the board was $865,085; district leaders asked members if there were questions and said staff would finalize required paperwork for the grant award.

Separately, staff reported that Powhatan retained its 17 Head Start slots after Richmond’s regional allocation process. District staff said Richmond initially reduced slots in a regional allocation but later reallocated seats in consultation with parent-council representatives, allowing Powhatan to hold the 17 Head Start seats and maintain current preschool staffing and capacity. The district said it will notify parents once the budget is formally approved.

Board members asked for clarification on the head start process, and staff described the regional allocation dynamics and parent-council input that led to retaining Powhatan’s seats. There was no vote on the grant plan at the meeting; routine grant submission and documentation steps were described.