Colchester School Board authorizes submission of consolidated federal grants and IDEA assurances
Summary
The Colchester School District board authorized the superintendent to sign and submit consolidated federal program assurances and IDEA grant documents by June 30 after presentations from central office staff outlining allocations, conditions and reporting requirements.
The Colchester School District School Board on June 3 authorized the superintendent to sign and submit the district’s consolidated federal program assurances and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) grant documents by the June 30 deadline.
District administrators told the board the action is largely procedural but required for the district to receive and manage federal Title I, Title II-A, Title IV and IDEA funds. Gwen, a central office administrator, described the packet as “a housekeeping item” and said the district’s initial allocations this year are nearly unchanged from last year’s, a relief given federal uncertainty.
The assurances require the district to link grant spending to continuous improvement plans and to meet reporting, assessment and parent-engagement conditions. Carrie, a central office staff member responsible for special education grants, said the IDEA allocation is currently estimated at about 90% and noted the district cannot use federal special-education funds to supplant local spending. She also described planned uses including updated digital testing equipment for the Woodcock-Johnson assessment, training for special educators and support for related services such as occupational and physical therapy.
Board members asked for clarification on recent federal changes and local impacts. Gwen said revised assurances were published in February and that further changes are possible but not expected before the district’s submission. The board also discussed an $84,000 net decrease from last year; Gwen said the largest reduction was in Title II-A (professional development), with smaller changes in Title IV (innovative learning).
Administrators noted that some federal Title I funds must be shared equitably with independent schools when eligible students are served; Gwen listed Saint Francis Xavier and the Waldorf school among the regional independent schools that will receive per-pupil shares next year. Carrie explained that the district submits documents through the Vermont Agency of Education, which monitors compliance and receives oversight from the U.S. Department of Education, and that allocations are adjusted during the summer and again in October. The district may amend grant reports up until April 15 of the following year to reflect allocation changes.
After questions, a board member moved to authorize the superintendent to sign and submit the consolidated federal program and IDEA assurances; the motion was approved by voice vote.
Board action was limited to authorizing submission; administrators indicated they will finalize allocation figures and report back when allocations are updated later in the summer and fall.
