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Superintendent warns federal and state policy shifts could hit funding, DEI and special education
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Selica briefed trustees on federal and state developments — including possible federal fund freezes, changes to Title IX and state bills on DEI and vouchers — and the potential implications for district programming and special education funding.
Superintendent Dr. Selica spent a portion of the Feb. 12 board meeting reviewing federal and state policy activity she said could affect the school district’s funding, programs and operations.
She told trustees she has met with members of the Ohio legislature and with federal contacts to understand proposals that could reshape how education programs are funded and overseen. Dr. Selica cited potential federal actions, state bills and executive‑level priorities that the district is tracking, including changes to DEI‑related policies, Title IX guidance, voucher expansion and a possible redistribution or reduction of duties at the U.S. Department of Education.
Why this matters: any change to federal funding streams or to how federal rules are interpreted affects programs such as Title I, IDEA‑B (special education), school‑based health centers and literacy funding. District leaders said they are monitoring developments because a reduction or reallocation of federal dollars or new state mandates could reduce available funding for programs the district uses for interventions and professional development.
Issues highlighted by the superintendent - Federal funding and freezes: Dr. Selica told the board the district is monitoring federal actions that could freeze or repurpose funds used for Title I, IDEA‑B and other programs; she said those programs support teacher salaries, intervention services and curriculum materials. She noted some individual benefits (Social Security, Medicare, SNAP) were reported to be excluded from immediate freezes but that education grants remain at risk. - DEI and local policies: Dr. Selica said state and federal attention to diversity, equity and inclusion could affect district policies, clubs and curriculum. She said the administration is preparing to align local policy with changing guidance while preserving the district’s nondiscrimination policy. - Title IX and gender identity: Dr. Selica reported that recent guidance is reverting to earlier (2020) Title IX regulations and that protections for gender identity under Title IX may be narrowed. She noted that the district’s nondiscrimination policy still prohibits discrimination and that the district will address issues through permitted policy channels. - Voucher expansion and school choice: Dr. Selica said voucher growth is a continuing concern for district funding and that expanded school choice could reduce district enrollment and state funding tied to student counts. - Possible changes to the U.S. Department of Education: she described scenarios discussed by legal and lobbying contacts — elimination of the department, redistribution of duties to other federal agencies, or reassignment of functions — and said any of those would create uncertainty in program administration and could delay or disrupt federal funding.
Trustee reaction Board members expressed concern for special education students and for the district’s ability to administer services if federal administration of programs changes. Trustees asked staff to remain vigilant and to continue outreach to legislators. Dr. Selica said she will continue to meet with state and federal representatives and to update the board as guidance becomes clearer.
Ending The superintendent asked the board and community to monitor legislative developments and to contact state and federal representatives where appropriate. She emphasized the district will comply with law and continue to serve all students while seeking clarity about funding and regulatory changes.
