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Hermiston SD 8 ineligible for state summer-learning funds; district will run program without $800,000
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Mooney told the Hermiston School District board that the district does not qualify to apply for statewide summer-learning dollars tied to ELA proficiency; district will operate its planned summer program without an estimated $800,000 in state funds.
Hermiston School District Superintendent Dr. Mooney told the board April 28 that the district does not qualify to apply for a portion of the state'allocated $37,000,000 for summer learning this year because of the district's English language arts proficiency rates.
Dr. Mooney said the Department of Education'driven formula meant Hermiston would not be eligible to apply for summer-learning funds this year. "The legislature did allocate $37,000,000 for summer learning this summer, but Hermiston, because of our ELA proficiency rates, does not qualify to apply for any of the summer learning funds," Mooney said. She added that, based on the department'provided formula, the district's share would have been $800,000.
The superintendent said the district will proceed with its planned summer program without those state funds and will continue to work with legislators and the Department of Education to pursue funding in future years. "For this summer, we are continuing our summer learning program as we have planned," Mooney said. She described the board'and district as having "budgeted our priorities" to sustain the program despite the funding shortfall.
Board members expressed disappointment; one attendee said, "Wow. That's a blow." Mooney said the district had previously received summer learning dollars and will continue discussions with the Department of Education and local legislators about eligibility and future funding.
The district did not provide additional details in the meeting about the summer program's budget sources or any programmatic reductions tied to the missing $800,000. Dr. Mooney said the district will "adjust accordingly" next summer depending on legislative outcomes and that she would keep the board updated.
