Board concerned as state vetoes and federal grant holds create $1 million funding uncertainty
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Summary
Board members reported a wave of line‑item vetoes in the state biennium budget and a hold on Title II, III and IV federal grants, leaving the district with about $700,000 covered by carryover but roughly $1 million still in uncertainty.
Board members updated the public on state and federal funding developments that could affect district revenue. The governor used a record number of line‑item vetoes in the biennium budget, and at the federal level the U.S. Department of Education has placed holds on Title II, III and IV funds the district expects to receive.
A staff member reported that the district initially received 50% of the expected grant funding and that the f Y 20 ’s grant window has been extended to allow carryover funds to be used through December. “So we're in good shape to maintain the grants that we have that we pretty much already planned on. So that's about $700,000 worth of funding right there out of the 1.7 that I was worried about. So we're down to about a million that I'm still worrying about,” the staff member said.
Why it matters: the holds and vetoes can reduce flexibilities and revenue available for instruction and services. Board members said they are pressing state and federal representatives and that lawsuits have been filed challenging the federal holds.
Board discussion: members described levies and other local funding tools as important; one speaker said the house sent one vetoed item back to the senate and noted the senate needs 21 votes to overturn the veto. The board said it will continue to monitor the situation and consider budget adjustments and “low‑hanging fruit” reductions if necessary.
Ending: staff said they will report further as the district receives additional guidance and that carryover funds give the district partial coverage into the first semester.
