Superintendent: impounded federal education funds may affect programs; district reports 10,194 summer lunches and staff support after teacher’s death
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps told the board that roughly $600,000 in federal education funds expected July 1 were impounded, potentially affecting programs serving rural and low-income students; the district reported serving 10,194 lunches in June and announced support after the death of a teacher.
Caldwell County Schools Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps told the board on July 14 that federal education funds the district expected to receive July 1 remain impounded, affecting programs that serve rural and low-income students and professional development efforts funded by federal titles. He said the amount is “upwards above $600,000” and that district staff have been advocating in Washington with the offices of U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, U.S. Sen. Ted Budd and U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx to secure release of the funds.
Phipps said the impounded money touches multiple programs that support students in rural and poor districts, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, students in English as a second language programs and a mentor program that funds professional development. He told the board that the district’s fund balance gives the district flexibility to cover some costs in the short term but warned that continued impoundment would require using local dollars to sustain programs.
Separately, Phipps announced the death of William Lenoir teacher and coach Brandon Norris and asked the board and community to keep his family, students and staff in their thoughts. The district’s crisis team will be at the school this week to provide support to those affected.
On student nutrition, Phipps reported that the district served 10,194 lunches through its summer feeding program in June — roughly 2,000 more than the previous year — and that feeding sites will operate through Aug. 15. He invited the public to view site locations on the district website.
Phipps also reminded the board that early college students return Aug. 13 and that traditional schools begin Aug. 25, and mentioned that the board will review the district’s cell-phone/device policy at a later work session.
No formal board action was recorded on the impounded funds at the July 14 meeting; the superintendent said the district will continue advocacy and may need to use local dollars if federal funds are not released.
