Superintendent: Title I Part C migrant funding frozen; district projects about $1.8 million shortfall for 2025–26

Superintendent (name not specified) told the Levy County School Board that the Title I, Part C migrant allocation has been frozen and that the district currently projects a roughly $1,800,000 deficit for the 2025–26 school year. The update came during the superintendent highlights portion of the meeting and followed email notices the superintendent said were circulated by district staff.

The superintendent said the freeze on the Title I, Part C migrant portion was reported in a staff email and described it as an action by federal authorities, saying, “I mean, the US Department of Education…that had to do just with the Title 1 Part C migrant portion of it, and that has been frozen.” She added that the notice was logged at about 4:16 p.m. and that the district is tracking related legislative changes included in an information packet from Grama Robinson.

Why it matters: Title I, Part C supports educational services for migrant students; a freeze on that funding and a multi‑million‑dollar projected shortfall would affect how the district uses reserves and prioritizes classroom services, the superintendent said.

Details and next steps: The superintendent said staff are building the proposed budget based on assumptions tied to “Senate Bill 2500” and that current estimated revenues are insufficient for the coming year. “We are seeing that our suspected revenues, of course, are not sufficient for the 25‑26 school year. And right currently, right now, we're looking at probably a 1,800,000 deficit,” she said. The superintendent said district administrators have met and will continue meeting with department leaders to identify cuts, reallocate funds and preserve reserve levels if possible.

The superintendent described an immediate schedule of follow‑up: staff will meet with the district instructional team the next day so department leaders can review options and return recommendations to the superintendent and board. She said the district would reconvene with the board after those department reviews and would keep the public informed through recorded board meetings and email updates.

On the migrant program specifically, the superintendent said the Alachua County migrant program had told district staff it would remain open until July 31 for administrative purposes only. She also said an emergency meeting had been called by “FAD, Senator Monford” and that more information might be available after that meeting; no timeline for final decisions was provided.

Discussion vs. action: Board members did not take formal budgetary action at the meeting. The superintendent’s remarks were presented as an informational update; board members asked questions and expressed concern. Mrs. Campbell noted that Lisa Custer, the district’s migrant representative, had lost her job at the county level and that the district’s migrant services staff were concerned. The superintendent said the district would keep board members and the public informed.

What’s not yet decided: The district has not adopted a final 2025–26 budget, nor did the board vote on any budget reductions at this meeting. Specific cuts, reserve uses or program changes were not specified and will depend on upcoming departmental reviews and any state or federal decisions.

Looking ahead: The superintendent said staff will continue meetings this week and bring more detailed revenue and expenditure options to the board when available.