Board approves signing federal general assurances with cover letter noting New Hampshire injunction

The Brentwood School Board approved signing the annual federal general assurances required to access federal grant funding, and directed staff to attach a cover letter from counsel explaining the district’s position in light of a federal injunction.

Staff explained the district must sign the general assurances to access grant funds in the federal grants system. The packet references a Dear Colleague letter; staff said the district’s counsel recommends signing the assurances while submitting a separate cover letter clarifying that the district certifies compliance “to the extent not mitigated by applicable court orders or injunctions.” Staff noted an injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire has affected whether the Dear Colleague letter must be signed.

A board member said the cover letter should explain the district’s compliance “based on existing law as amended by the not amended as subject to the injunction put in place by the district of New Hampshire,” and asked for clarity about where the Dear Colleague reference appears in the assurances packet. The board voted to authorize signing the general assurances and to attach a counsel‑drafted cover letter. The motion passed unanimously.

Board members were told the assurances must be returned by June 1 for the district to access grant activity and reimbursements in the system. Staff said that without signed assurances the district would not be able to write grant activities or access funds in the federal grant portal.