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Board reviews federal program allocations and summer-school plans, funding reading specialists and summer kits
Summary
The board reviewed Title I–IV, Title II, Title III allocations and grant-funded reading specialist placements; the division plans summer literacy kits, summer school diagnostics, and is expanding supports for English learners.
School division staff presented planned uses of federal program funds for FY26, including Title I allocations that will support reading specialists across elementary and middle schools, Title II purchases to reimburse teacher licensure coursework and Praxis preparation, and Title III supports for growing English learner populations.
Dr. Shannon and federal programs staff said Title I funds of $665,074.87 (plus a Title IV transfer of $46,063.56) will fund one full-time and one part-time reading specialist at Capron Elementary and reading specialists at other elementary schools. "This will fund 1 reading specialist for Capern Elementary School, and 1 part time reading specialist will be funded by the VDOE," the presenter said during the federal programs overview. Title II funding ($97,618.57) will provide reading support and reimbursements for teachers’ licensure coursework and Praxis practice tests.
Why it matters: The division reported an increase in English-learner enrollment (from 9 two years ago to 33 now) and is using federal funds to place reading specialists and intervention resources, order summer school materials, and provide family-facing early-literacy kits. Summer school diagnostics will measure growth before and after summer instruction; elementary summer packets include books and activities for K–2 and kits for grades 3–5. The division also described a renewal for a school-security officer grant and a countywide school-safety personnel grant funded through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice.
Action and approvals: The board approved the federal programs plan for FY26 (motion passed with two no votes noted in roll call). Staff said the full Title I application is due July 1 and that some assessment data (SOL scores) were still pending, to be included in the final grant submission.
Next steps: Staff will finalize the Title I application by July 1, complete required data inserts when SOL results are available, and implement summer programs and diagnostic testing per the approved plans.
