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Liberty approves Project Momentum participation after district notified of steep cut in FY26 funding
Summary
District staff told trustees that Project Momentum funding for FY26 will fall to about $162,000 from roughly $980,000 in FY25; the board approved participation documents so the district can accept and manage the smaller award.
The Liberty Elementary School District board on May 13 approved the documents required for district participation in the Project Momentum grant for fiscal year 2025–26 after administrators warned the district's award will be substantially reduced compared with the prior year.
According to district staff, Project Momentum funding for FY26 will be about $162,000; the district received roughly $980,000 from Project Momentum in FY25. Staff said the Arizona Department of Education will now pay for principal partner positions for selected schools and that the FY26 award focuses on a smaller set of schools.
Board Member Zimmerman noted the sharp reduction and asked trustees to account for the smaller grant during the FY26 budgeting process. Trustees voted 5–0 to approve the required documents to participate in Project Momentum (motion by Board Member Zimmerman; second by Board Member Cerancioni).
What the change means
Staff indicated the primary operational effect is reduced grant funds available for the district in FY26; some functions that were grant‑funded in FY25 will need alternative funding if they remain a district priority. Staff also said the department's decision to directly cover principal partner positions for selected schools will reduce the district's grant staffing obligations under Project Momentum for those schools.
Vote at a glance
- Motion: Approve required documents to participate in Project Momentum for school year 2025–26. - Mover: Board Member Zimmerman. - Second: Board Member Cerancioni. - Vote: Zimmerman — yes; Cerancioni — yes; Schmidt — yes; Kenyon — yes; Michael Todd — yes; Result: Approved 5–0.
Staff asked trustees to factor the smaller FY26 award into the district's broader FY26 budgeting process.
