District staff outline federal grant funding pause and possible local impacts

Hopkinton school officials briefed the committee on July 24 about a temporary federal pause in the distribution of several entitlement grants and the possible effects on district programming and staffing. Director of Grants Mr. Labrad explained the U.S. Department of Education informed states on June 30 that the release of many ESSA-related entitlement allocations would be delayed while the department conducts programmatic reviews. Labrad said Title I and special-education (IDEA) grant funds had been distributed and were not affected; funds for other programs grouped under ESSA titles had been placed on hold pending the review. Labrad described the district’s typical uses for those grants: Title I funds support literacy interventionists; Title II funds partly fund mentor stipends and professional development; Title III funds support ESOL tutoring; and Title IV funds support technology and supplemental programming. He said preliminary estimates show the district could face a shortfall of roughly $90,000 across Titles 2–4 if allocations are delayed or reduced, and he identified an immediately vulnerable item as the Title III ESOL tutor position, which the district currently funds from that grant. Labrad said states may challenge the federal review process after Sept. 30 if allocations remain delayed, but the timing and final allocations remained uncertain. The committee requested the information be posted to the district website to inform families.