Grants Director: Pause on Some Federal Grants ‘Disruptive’ but District Should Continue Applications

The district’s grants manager told the Board of Trustees the district remains “on track” to obligate 2024 funds by the Sept. 30, 2025 deadline and that year‑25 grant activity is proceeding while the U.S. Department of Education and White House review have paused some federal awards nationally. Miss Mobley, who presented the federal and state grants financial report, outlined allocations and restrictions for Title I, II, III and IV funds, Perkins, and other grant lines and explained how the pause affected the district’s online allocations. She said the district’s year‑24 and most year‑25 allocations remain intact because state cash is in hand; Title 4 amounts appeared in the system and were then pulled back by state reporting during the federal review. On the federal pause, Mobley summarized guidance she has received: program managers are individually reviewing awards for “potential areas of fraud, waste, or abuse” and for activities considered “contrary to the president's agenda.” She said there is “no timeline for when they're released” but advised the board and staff to “keep working on all the applications. Assume it's coming.” Mobley clarified allowable uses for each title: Title II funds may only be used for professional development and class-size reduction; Title III funds are small and must be used for supplemental, non-core services for English-language learners; Title IV is three programs in one (well-rounded education, safe and healthy schools, effective use of technology) with restrictions on hardware purchases and percentage allocations. She said program managers have provided assurances that, because of the unusual pause, the district will not be treated as having “supplanted” general-fund spending if the district temporarily uses local funds and later reimburses with grant funds, although doing so would require extra accounting work to reclassify costs when grant funds arrive. Board members asked for details on remaining balances and timing; Mobley noted that some encumbrances reflected bills processed but not yet reimbursed by the state; she said carryover rules (27 months to spend) remain in place and that the district’s larger grants (Title I and 611/619 special education grants) are relatively secure. The board approved the grants financial report.