Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Federal Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent says federal grant freeze disrupted planning; district to develop contingency options for after-school services
Summary
Dr. Carter summarized the federal education grant pause and subsequent partial releases, described risks to after-school, EL and professional development programs, and said staff will return with an out-of-school-time funding overview and contingency options at an August work session.
Dr. Carter briefed the board on uncertainty around recent federal education funding pauses and partial releases, saying the back-and-forth created planning and staffing challenges for district programs supported by federal grants. He said court orders temporarily blocked a nationwide freeze and that the district has received notice that remaining federal funds are expected to be released, but the funds had not yet arrived at the time of the meeting.
Dr. Carter said the paused funds supported programs for English learners, teacher professional development, instructional coaches, and after-school and out-of-school-time programming. He told trustees, ‘‘We are going to move in confidence, by continuing those programs, recognizing that it's delayed and not disrupted at this point.’’ He said the district is still monitoring timing and possible future restrictions.
Dr. Carter reported figures mentioned in public reporting and legal actions: ‘‘about $6,000,000,000 in total federal funds were what is now just delayed’’ and said an additional ‘‘1,300,000,000 for 20 first century learning centers’’ was expected to be released. He credited community members and union partners who contacted legislators and said their outreach likely influenced congressional and judicial responses.
Because some out-of-school-time funding (referred to in the meeting as the OST grant) runs only through October 2025, Dr. Carter said the district has asked staff to assemble an overview of all out-of-school-time funding sources and present options at the August work session. Those options may include offering programs at fewer schools, creating pay-for-participation models, seeking sponsorships, or other alternatives. Dr. Carter named staff assigned to that work as Dr. Harvey and Director Mitch.
Dr. Carter said the district intends to preserve critical services where possible and will maintain transparency with the public. He noted broader fiscal uncertainty because the state budget and per-pupil allocation also remain unresolved, saying the budget the board passed was ‘‘a guess’’ and that an earlier-than-usual budget modification (likely October or November) may be required.
The board did not take a formal vote on funding policy at the meeting; Dr. Carter said staff will return with contingency recommendations and funding details at the August work session.
