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Board approves McKinney‑Vento grants to 13 districts to support homeless students; funding action moved up to this meeting
Summary
The Kansas State Board of Education approved recommendations to fund McKinney‑Vento (homeless children and youth) grants for 2025–26, directing awards to 13 districts serving a majority of identified students; the board suspended rules to vote at the Aug. 12 meeting and approved the allocations 8–0 (two present, not voting).
The Kansas State Board of Education voted in favor of recommended McKinney‑Vento education grants for the 2025–26 school year during its Aug. 12 meeting, after the board suspended the rules to allow action at the current session.
The department reported that in the 2023–24 school year Kansas districts identified 8,799 students as McKinney‑Vento eligible. KSDE provided a prioritized list of districts for targeted funding; the recommended 13 districts account for roughly 5,142 of the state’s identified students (about 58 percent of the statewide count for 2023–24). The board approved the recommendations after members voted to suspend the usual timing and to take action during the Aug. 12 meeting.
Why it matters: McKinney‑Vento funds are federal dollars intended to support immediate educational needs of children and youth who lack fixed, regular and adequate housing. Awarded funds typically pay for transportation, school supplies, tutoring, outreach, and staffing to identify and support eligible students and ensure uninterrupted access to school.
KSDE presentation and board action Maureen Tabasco, KSDE McKinney‑Vento state coordinator, reviewed the state’s 2023–24 counts and the distribution plan. Tabasco told the board that the most common housing situation reported in 2023–24 was “doubled up” (students staying with friends or relatives), followed by students in emergency shelters and hotel/motel placements.
Board members voted 8–0 to approve the recommended awards; the board record shows two members were present but did not register a vote. Board member Betty moved to suspend the rules so the vote could be taken at the August meeting; that motion passed, and the board then moved to approve the funding recommendations.
Implementation and next steps KSDE will issue grant notices and begin executing grant awards to the approved districts. The department said the awards will be used to support immediate student needs — transportation to school of origin, school supplies, nutrition supports and staffing — and to augment district McKinney‑Vento liaison capacity.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from statements recorded during the board meeting.
