Superintendent: DOE pause on federal obligations unlikely to stop current drawdowns

At the Jan. 28 DeSoto School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Bennett told the board a U.S. Department of Education memo requires federal agencies to "temporarily pause activities related to obligation of disbursement of all federal assistance" starting at 5 p.m. the same day, but said ordinary drawdowns by subrecipients should continue.

Dr. Bennett said the memo is intended to give a new administration time to review agency programs and priorities. "Suzanne just said don't, you know, don't panic and try to draw down in anticipation of an anticipated freeze. That we should be able to be business as normal," he said, repeating guidance he received from DOE staff.

Why it matters: the district has grant-funded positions and other federally funded programs that rely on timely disbursement. Dr. Bennett said the immediate effect is limited because subrecipients should still be able to draw down funds; the greater risk would be for the next fiscal year if the pause becomes a sustained freeze.

In the meeting Dr. Bennett said he had spoken with Paul Burns, who "echoed very much the same sentiment" that the district should be "good" for the coming year. Dr. Bennett said the district is "in a good spot financially" now, and that if there were adverse effects the district would make adjustments "as far away from the classroom as possible."

The superintendent said DOE will continue to monitor and communicate with local districts and that he will update the board and the public as new information arrives.