Board approves Title I third‑party contracts to serve private schools amid funding uncertainty

The board approved contracts July 21 to let a third‑party vendor, listed in agenda materials as Fax Education Solutions LLC (facilitating Title I services), provide federally required equitable services to private schools in the district, including Bishop Heelan and Siouxland Christian School.

Administration explained that Title I allocations require the district to offer equitable services to qualifying students in participating nonpublic schools. Because the district cannot yet be certain of its federal Title allocations for the coming year, staff proposed initial contracts at a reduced level (roughly 60 percent of last year—s contracts) to allow private‑school tutoring and literacy/math supports to begin while limiting overcommitment.

Director questions and context: Directors discussed the legal requirement to provide equitable services and the district—s role supervising the contracts. One director voiced discomfort at using federal funds to support private‑school services but acknowledged the district has a federal obligation to provide those services and noted the vendor and AEA add administrative costs. Staff said if federal funding later increases, they will return with supplemental contract amendments.

Votes: The contract for Bishop Heelan passed with a roll‑call tally recorded in the minutes as 6‑0 with 1 abstention. A subsequent contract for Siouxland Christian School was approved later in the agenda; minutes recorded a favorable vote.

Ending: Staff will bring finalized contract amounts to the next meeting based on actual federal allocations; administration emphasized the district is obligated under federal law to provide equitable services regardless of timing of allocations.