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Gadsden ISD to provide elementary classroom supplies despite $680,000 Title I cut; middle/high school coverage limited
Summary
Amid a $680,000 cut to Title I funding, district staff told the board the district will supply classroom materials for elementary teachers and small home backpacks for elementary students; middle schools will receive headphones and mice and high schools receive no supply provision from this funding.
District staff told the board the district will provide classroom supplies for all elementary schools next year and small “home backpacks” for each elementary student despite a significant Title I funding cut.
Miss Villalobos explained that after a “big cut” to Title I funding (she said the district learned of a roughly $680,000 reduction about one to two weeks earlier), the district repurposed available supply funds so principals will receive boxes for every classroom and a small backpack or bag with basic supplies for each elementary student to keep at home. Villalobos said those classroom supplies would remain at school and not be taken home, but principals will hand out small backpacks at open house so students have some basic items at home.
Villalobos said the district will provide only mice and headphones for middle schools and will not provide supplies for high schools under the current funding level. She also said the district expects donations — she referenced three groups that have already committed backpacks — and estimated about 2,000 donated backpacks will be distributed according to need.
The board did not take a separate vote on supplies; staff described the plan as part of routine program updates and explained the constraints created by the late Title I allocation change.
