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Superintendent warns Title IIIII and IV funding is on hold; $400,000 in district salaries at risk
Summary
Dr. McClung told the board Title I and IDEA funds have been approved but Title II, III and IV allocations are under federal review nationwide; the district estimates about $400,000 would be affected and that funds mainly cover staff salaries.
Siloam Springs School District Superintendent Dr. McClung told the board the district has received federal approval for Title I and IDEA (special education) funding but that other federal allocations are under review nationwide.
"Title 1 funds have been approved by the federal Department of Education, and we will be getting that allocation of money," Dr. McClung said. "Also, any IDEA funds ... have also been approved. But I will say, Title 2, Title 3, and Title 4 ... those are on hold, for all states."
He said the hold is a national review and not a district-specific action. "If that does not come through, we do not get those funds. That's $400,000 for our district," Dr. McClung said, adding that the money is used primarily to pay staff salaries rather than to buy programs or products. "These are people in our district that we would have to figure out how to absorb with what we already have on contract."
Dr. McClung said district officials have discussed the matter with the state education secretary and are awaiting decisions expected in the coming weeks, but he cautioned the timing is uncertain.
Why this matters: The potential shortfall would affect district staffing budgets and services paid with federal allocations. The superintendent said the district would need to identify how to absorb the expense if funds are not released.
No board action or specific contingency plan was recorded at the meeting.
