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Leander ISD outlines federal funding uses for 2024‑25; public hearing draws no comments
Summary
District officials presented required annual federal‑funds expenditure review (Title I‑IV, IDEA, Perkins V), explained program uses and compliance measures, and fielded trustee questions about trends and grant administration. No members of the public signed up to comment on the federal funds public hearing.
Leander ISD staff presented the district’s annual overview of federal funds — including ESSA Titles I–IV, IDEA (special education) and Perkins V (career and technical education) — and described how those streams supported instruction, professional learning and student services in 2024‑25.
Paige Collier, assistant superintendent for special programs and services, opened the presentation and reiterated that the review fulfills Texas Education Agency and U.S. Department of Education requirements and also provides transparency to families: “We are here to present a public overview of our federal funds, which which includes the required annual review of expenditures for the 2425 school year.”
What the district told the board - ESSA Titles: Collier summarized typical Title uses — Title I to support high‑need students and close achievement gaps; Title II for teacher and principal quality; Title III for emergent bilingual learners; and Title IV for well‑rounded education, safe and healthy schools and technology needs. - IDEA: Staff emphasized that IDEA funding supports preschool and K‑12 special‑education programs, related services and personnel. District leaders said the majority of special‑education funding is allocated to staffing; the presentation cited approximately 85 positions supported through IDEA funds. - Perkins V / CTE: Director Jamie Everett highlighted Perkins V uses to support career and technical education, including equipment, program leadership and work‑based learning. Everett said the district’s Perkins 5 formula grant for the year was “just under $300,000,” and noted the grant supports two district staff positions and stipends for roughly 40 program lead roles while most ongoing program costs are funded by state CTE weighted funding or district funds.
Trustee questions and staff answers Board members asked about compliance and trends. Collier noted formula grants are applied for annually and are not competitive: “These are formula grants, and so we apply for them every year.” Trustees asked about trends for Title III (immigrant and emergent bilingual funds), and staff said estimated planning amounts for Title III were trending slightly upward because the district’s emergent bilingual population has increased.
Staff also described oversight and accountability steps: stakeholder input through the District‑Wide Education Improvement Council, needs assessments, and program evaluation. One trustee raised the district’s recent efficiency audit; Collier said the district had received a draft audit and is awaiting final results and recommendations.
Public hearing: Collier and other presenters noted that the presentation served as the public hearing required for federal funds; no one signed up to comment on that hearing, and the district moved on to board discussion.
Who spoke (selected) - Paige Collier, Assistant Superintendent for Special Programs and Services (state and federal programs) - Shannon Jack, Director of State and Federal Programs - Jamie Everett, Director of Career and Technical Education - Trustee questions led by several trustees including Anna Smith and Francesca Romans
Key figures and program details cited - District said Perkins V allotment for 2024‑25 was “just under $300,000.” - Staff said IDEA funding supports approximately 85 positions (staffing and related services) funded through the special‑education allocation.
Why this matters: Federal funds pay for classroom supports (intervention staff, bilingual programs), professional learning, special‑education services and CTE equipment and programming that are not fully covered by local or state formula allocations. Trustees asked whether the district had the staff and systems to manage federal compliance; staff said compliance work is a priority and that interdepartmental efforts had been strengthened this year to reduce risk.
Next steps: The district will file required assurances and maintain records to satisfy TEA and U.S. Department of Education requirements. Trustees directed follow‑up on a separate internal/efficiency audit referenced during the Q&A.
Selected direct quotes - Paige Collier: “We are here to present a public overview of our federal funds, which which includes the required annual review of expenditures for the 2425 school year.” - Jamie Everett on Perkins V: the district’s total Perkins allocation this year was “just under $300,000.” - On formula grants and application: “These are formula grants, and so we apply for them every year,” (Paige Collier).
