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Sarasota parents and advocates press school board for plan if federal education funding is cut
Summary
At a Feb. 18 Sarasota County School Board meeting, many public commenters urged the board to prepare contingency plans and advocate to protect federal funds that support Title I and special education services, citing figures in the district budget and warning of possible cuts.
Dozens of residents urged the Sarasota County School Board on Feb. 18 to prepare for a potential loss of federal education funding and to explain how the district would maintain services for Title I and students with disabilities.
"What is the district's plan if this vital funding disappears?" asked Julie Forrester during public comment, citing a line item in the district's special-revenue table. Forrester and other speakers warned that tens of millions of federal dollars support programs for low-income students, special education and related services.
Why it matters: Several commenters said federal programs funded through the U.S. Department of Education — including Title I and IDEA/504-related supports — underwrite services that would be difficult to replace locally. Speakers said those programs pay for classroom aides, specialized staff,…
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