Board approves Title I pooling agreement with ESC of Northeast Ohio and renews Seesaw contract

At the July 10, 2025 meeting the Becker Board of Education approved service contracts (agenda item 7.02) that included entering a Title I pooling agreement with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio to provide properly licensed tutors to Cleveland Central Catholic High School and renewal of a Seesaw Learning service contract for K–6. The motion passed by recorded vote, 5–0.

An executive director of academic achievement summarized the district’s role: the district acts as the fiscal agent for Title I nonpublic allocations and enters agreements that allow nonpublic schools to use their Title I funds. “As the title 1 federal funds come to us, there's also a percentage that has to go to non public schools,” the executive director said, explaining the agreement facilitates that use of funds.

A board member asked whether the agreement was tied to whether district students attend Cleveland Central Catholic; staff answered that the agreement is part of Title I nonpublic arrangements and is not contingent on the presence of Becker students at the nonpublic school.

Why it matters: Title I federal funds include a nonpublic allocation that must be expended for eligible students in qualifying nonpublic schools; the district acts as fiscal agent. The service-contract approvals allow the nonpublic school to receive tutoring services under the Title I arrangement and maintain K–6 access to Seesaw’s standards-aligned learning experiences.

The board recorded no public comment on the item; staff said the district will continue to administer the Title I arrangement as fiscal agent.