Ossining district outlines federal grant shortfalls and policy choices as budgets are finalized

The Ossining Board of Education received an update July 9 from Superintendent Mary Fox Alter and Assistant Superintendent for Business Alita McCoy on federal and state grant funding that the district had factored into the 2025–26 budget. The update identified confirmed reductions and outstanding funding decisions that together create a near‑term exposure for the district.

McCoy presented two tables: one showing confirmed grant awards and amounts as of the meeting date, and a second showing what had been assumed at budget time. She said confirmed federal grants already received include Title I, Title II and Title VI/619 amounts with small variances from budget assumptions, but that the district had received a notice this year that the five‑year school‑based mental health grant will end on Dec. 31, 2025 — which effectively covers only half of the 2025–26 fiscal year. That withdrawal creates a projected deficit of $631,000 tied to that program. McCoy said the district’s…