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Lawrence schools detail local impact of federal funding pause; district lists roughly $468,151 in affected grants
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Swift told the board the district is monitoring a federal pause on several education funding streams and provided district-level dollar amounts for Titles II, III and IV that would be affected.
Superintendent Dr. Swift told the USD 497 Board of Education that a federal pause on several education funding streams could affect programming the district planned for the 2025–26 school year and urged community advocacy while the district monitors the situation.
Dr. Swift said the district estimated $309,000 in Title II funding (teacher and leader support), $63,185 in Title III (English-language instruction), and $95,656 in Title IV (student supports and enrichment) — a combined total of $468,151 that the district had expected to use to support local staffing, training and student programs. The superintendent described the pause in federal disbursements as disruptive to planning and preparation for the coming school year.
"The reality is our children do not have time to wait," Dr. Swift said, stressing that district staff would continue work to meet students’ needs while awaiting resolution. Dr. Swift also told the board the district had received notice that one federal award (referred to in the meeting as Title 6) had been approved and awarded.
In addition to program dollars, the superintendent reviewed recent district summer operations that would be affected by staffing and program funding: the district’s extended school year (ESY) programming served 173 students this summer with 46 certified staff and 109 classified staff; hiring activity continues through July as the district onboarded 40 certified staff on July 9 and reported incremental hires since then.
Dr. Swift urged parents and community members to advocate as state and federal developments continue. He also outlined continuity plans the district is pursuing locally, including monitoring hires, prioritizing direct services, and posting district-specific impact information online.
The board heard the superintendent’s report immediately after officer elections and before committee statements.
What the district reported - Title II (teacher and leader support): $309,000 (district estimate) - Title III (English learner instruction): $63,185 (district estimate) - Title IV (student programs and enrichment): $95,656 (district estimate) - Combined total cited by the superintendent: $468,151 - District reported that a Title 6 award has been confirmed and awarded to the district.
The superintendent’s full report included summer program participation statistics, facilities and technology preparations for the school year, a reminder of back-to-school dates, and meal-kit distribution schedules.
