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Superintendent warns possible federal funding cuts and state insurance changes could raise district costs
Summary
Superintendent Shane Patrick told the board that proposed federal budget changes could eliminate Title II-A, Title III and migrant-education allocations that currently fund district staff, and that state changes to health insurance funding will raise the district's per-employee costs for a seven-month period starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Superintendent Shane Patrick briefed the board on two funding risks the district is watching: proposed federal budget reductions that could eliminate Title II-A (programs supporting effective instruction), Title III (English learner services), and Migrant Education funding, and a state change to the way the state pays employee health-insurance contributions.
Patrick said the district's current allocations were: Title III roughly $111,000 for the year; Migrant allotment $25,000 (served through a cooperative agreement); and Title II-A about $144,000. He explained that those funds primarily pay salaries (instructional coaches, ESL teachers and paraprofessionals) and that the district would need a plan to replace them if Congress eliminates or reduces the programs.
On health insurance, Patrick said the district currently pays $234.50 per month per employee who takes insurance; the state has notified districts to prepare for that amount to rise to at least $300 per month starting Jan. 1, 2026. Patrick said the higher costs would be concentrated over a seven-month period before the state transitions to a new method (moving the payment out of the foundation matrix and paying insurers directly), a change the district's CFO and superintendent described as ultimately fairer but requiring short-term planning and carryover funds to cover the spike.
Why this matters: The affected federal funds pay staff positions that the district treats as central to instruction and support; losing those funds could require staffing or program changes. The state health-insurance funding change will increase the district's short-term costs and affect budget planning for FY 2025'6.
Numbers mentioned in the meeting
- Title III allocation for the current year: $111,000 (approximate figure provided by superintendent). - Migrant allotment: $25,000 (district currently served by regional cooperative). - Title II-A allocation: $144,000 (approximate figure provided by superintendent). - Current district health-insurance contribution per covered employee: $234.50 per month. - Projected state-per-employee contribution (prepare for): at least $300 per month starting Jan. 1, 2026 (district cited uncertainty about final figure).
District direction
District leadership said they are preparing budget scenarios to make up potential shortfalls and will report back to the board as planning continues.
