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Board debate over Title II-funded teacher supports surfaces as budget is adopted; motion to halt cuts fails
Summary
Board members and staff debated proposed cuts to Title II-funded instructional support positions during the same hearing that adopted the final budget; a motion to remove the cuts from the budget failed.
The School Board of Broward County heard prolonged discussion on Title II federal grant reductions and how the district will preserve teacher coaching, mentoring and professional development after staff said the district lost federal grant funding tied to enrollment declines.
Board member Mrs. Rupert pressed district leaders for specifics about reductions to Title II-funded instructional staff, saying the district planned to cut positions in the Department of Professional Learning and Development and asking how the district would continue credentialing, coaching and new-teacher support with fewer staff. Dr. Kona, the district's chief academic officer, told the board the Title II allocation for the district is approximately $10.5 million; the district has experienced an additional loss in Title II funding of about $1.4 million and total federal grant reductions tied to enrollment of roughly $3 million.
Dr. Kona and Superintendent Dr. Hepburn said the district plans to shift some employees into classroom roles or other funded vacancies rather than leave staff unemployed, and that other instructional-support activities remain funded through general fund resources and other departments (elementary learning, secondary learning and applied learning). Dr. Kona said departments would prioritize support for new-teacher academies, classroom coaching and the most critical, time-sensitive professional learning.
Mrs. Rupert moved to remove the proposed Title II cuts from the budget until staff could provide a detailed chart listing each position, job responsibilities, schools served and the financial amounts attached. Her motion was seconded but the board voted it down; the motion failed when the board recorded ‘‘no" votes and the chair declared the motion did not pass.
Board members said they wanted additional clarity. After the failed motion, the board asked the superintendent to return with a capability description that details how professional development, coaching and mentoring will continue in the face of federal grant reductions, and to include information on the district's use of AI tools for teacher supports as part of that follow-up.
Why it matters: Title II and similar federal grants fund supplemental professional development and coaching programs; reductions affect how the district organizes its instructional-support workforce and how it delivers induction and coaching services to teachers. Several board members said they would not support the budget if the cuts undid work that strengthens teacher proficiency.
What's next: Staff committed to provide the board with a detailed breakdown of affected Title II positions, the services each position provides, and options for funding or phasing changes. The board asked that the information be returned in a way that shows the consequences of cuts and potential alternatives.
