Representatives of local community groups presented partnerships, youth programs and awards at the San Ysidro School District board meeting on July 10 while Superintendent Gina Potter told the board the district is monitoring a federal funding freeze that could reduce tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in program money.

Cynthia Negura, chairperson of the San Ysidro Education Collaborative, described the collaborative’s decade-plus work connecting schools with business and community partners to support students “from cradle to career.” The collaborative’s activities include a San Xavier STEM Festival, intergenerational STEM nights and committees focused on parent engagement, youth pathways and mental wellness.

Eric Meyer, assistant director of education and engagement at the Fleet Science Center, said the collaborative’s STEM festival “this past year is the fourth year of the festival. It's over 2,500 attendees, 40 exhibitors, and over 25 volunteers,” and described the festival’s role linking classroom learning to career pathways.

Gabby Yan, executive director of the Team Drive Foundation, described career-exploration programs and a signature seventh-grade internship day that brings about 120 students to Las Americas for hands-on workplace exposure and public-speaking practice. The San Ysidro Women’s Club and other civic groups also described longstanding volunteer work in the district.

During board remarks Superintendent Gina Potter warned the board about federal actions affecting education funding. She told the board a recent freeze on some federal education funds this year could reduce California’s allocations by about $6,000,000,000 and San Diego-area districts by tens of millions. Potter provided district-level estimates for categories that could be affected this year or next: “Title 2 part A... our district will lose $160,000 with this funding freeze. Title 3 part A English language learners... our district is set to lose for our English language learners $300,000. And then Title 4 part A... our district is set to lose $100,000. In federal special education funds next year, we receive as a single school district $1,500,000,” she said.

Potter also warned that next-year risks include a possible loss of roughly $2,600,000 if the National School Lunch Community Eligibility Program were eliminated and that Title 1 funding for the district could be at risk in the next school year. The superintendent asked the board to mobilize as a united voice to protect federal funds that support high-need students.

Presenters and trustees emphasized that the collaborative’s volunteer-run work augments district efforts on parent engagement, STEM exposure and career pathways. Board members thanked the collaborative and the Women’s Club for longstanding volunteer contributions to the district.

Separately, a community member asked for records and public documentation related to the Greater Community Resource Center project and how Measures T and U bond funds were presented to voters; she requested that the district put the request on record and provide documents showing public engagement and clarity on the use of bond proceeds.