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West Seneca superintendent warns nearly $500,000 in federal Title funds are on hold, urges advocacy
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Krueger told the school board that Title II‑A, Title III and Title IV federal allocations — funds the district uses largely for teacher salaries and programs — are currently held by the federal government, putting about $460,000 at risk and prompting calls for immediate advocacy.
West Seneca Central School District Superintendent Dr. Krueger told the board on July 22 that federal formula grants the district relies on are being held and could be at risk for the coming 2025–26 school year. “Title 2 a funds that are being held that is exceeds $300,000,” she said, adding that Title 3 is “just under $10,000” and Title 4 “exceeds a $146,000,” a sum she described as “nearly a half million dollars.”
Dr. Krueger said the district typically receives allocations each year based on enrollment, poverty measures and counts of English learners and then files noncompetitive applications describing planned uses. She said most of the dollars in question support teacher salaries and benefits. “These are programs that directly impact our kids and teaching and staff,” she said.
The superintendent said the district has contacted federal and state advocates, including offices mentioned in conversation such as Senator Schumer’s and Assemblyman Pat Burke’s, and thanked “Missus Greenberg” for helping connect the district to advocacy contacts. She urged board members and community supporters to contact federal and state lawmakers to seek release of the funds. “Now is the time, to have our voice heard,” she said.
Dr. Krueger outlined the district’s immediate choices if the funds remain withheld: use reserve funds (which she advised against), shift allocations within the budget or consider staffing adjustments. She said reserves are intended for one‑time emergencies and pointed to a roughly $80,000 elevator repair last year as an example of an unexpected cost. “If we deplete our reserves this year, then what?” she asked, saying that tapping reserves could mean pushing costs into subsequent years.
Board members asked about coordinated advocacy. A board member volunteered to reach out to the Erie County School Boards Association’s legislative committee for template letters and suggested the district pursue coordinated appeals through local and state offices. The board did not take a formal vote on any specific advocacy motion at the meeting.
The superintendent did not provide an exact conditional deadline from the federal government for the held funds and described the hold as a recent, unexpected development affecting many districts. She characterized the funds as allocated, noncompetitive grants that still require the usual federal application process before dollars are released.
The board took no formal financial action at the meeting but discussed next steps in planning and advocacy. Dr. Krueger said the district may need to prepare contingency scenarios for the 2025–26 budget if the funds are not released in time.
