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Board reviews new policy allowing federal grant-funded pay during declared emergencies
Summary
The Kent School District reviewed a first reading of policy 61.006 clarifying that, during a declared federal or state emergency, the district may continue to pay employees funded by federal grants under specified conditions; staff noted the provision was updated twice the day of the meeting and will return for formal consideration.
At a May 14 policy work session, the Kent School District Board examined a first reading of Policy 61.006, "Allowable cost for federal programs," which clarifies when federal grant funds may be used to continue paying staff during declared federal or state emergencies.
Why it matters: The policy addresses how federal grant-funded positions are paid when programs cannot be implemented because of extraordinary circumstances such as a federal disaster declaration — an issue raised during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was said: Executive Director Raul Perangal told the board the policy language was updated that morning and reads in part: "If a federal disaster is declared or the state declares a state of emergency, the district may continue to pay the compensation of employees who are paid with federal grant funds using the federal funds despite the employee's inability to work due to the extraordinary circumstances consistent with the district's use of all funding sources to pay its employees, and this came about because of COVID."
Discussion points: Board members asked what would happen if federal funds were exhausted or removed. Perangal and other staff said additional language could be added but that, absent federal funds, the program would not continue. Perangal said the paragraph's intent is to allow funding to continue for an FTE hired under federal funding where the extraordinary circumstance applies; he noted the district would return to the board with recommendations if funds were not available.
Next steps: Staff identified the paragraph for further review and said the policy would reappear on the May 28 agenda. The board did not take a vote in the work session; the item was a first reading and informational discussion.
Ending: The policy aims to give the district a clear, documented approach to continue payroll for federal grant-funded positions during declared emergencies, while acknowledging that continued payment depends on federal funding availability and program status.
