Council Rock SD says $245,000 in federal Title grants are under review; board to consider resolution asking lawmakers to reinstate funds

Council Rock School District officials reported to the Finance Committee on July 10 that the U.S. Department of Education has removed several Title grant application pages while conducting a federal review, temporarily blocking districts from submitting or receiving funds the district had budgeted for 2025‑26.

Tony Rapp said the state (Pennsylvania Department of Education) removed five Title program application pages on June 30 after the federal department informed PDE it would not be awarding the grants on July 1 as expected. Rapp listed three Title grants the district had anticipated and budgeted for 2025‑26: Title II‑A (supporting effective instruction) at $154,459; Title III (English learner support) at $63,499; and Title IV‑A (student support and academic enrichment) at $25,495. Rapp said Title I-A (improving basic programs) was not affected and would continue as planned.

Why it matters: the affected grants collectively total approximately $245,000 in expected federal funds that the district had included in its budgeting for personnel and instructional aides. Rapp told the committee the district could continue programming without an immediate personnel change but that the missing federal money increases the district’s projected budget deficit by the same amount unless the funds are restored.

Board members and administrators discussed next steps. Ed Tate circulated a draft resolution—prepared with staff and patterned on a similar measure from another district—asking federal representatives to restore or reinstate the Title grants. Rapp and other administrators suggested putting a short, revised resolution on the next school board agenda and invited board members to propose language edits. Several board members asked staff to limit incendiary language and to ensure the resolution does not incorrectly imply immediate program cuts.

Rapp said the administration and business office had informed staff in relevant programs that, at present, no staffing reductions or program changes are planned while the situation is under review. The committee agreed staff should proceed with outreach in coordination with board leadership; the draft resolution was to be circulated by email for edits before appearing on the board agenda.