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Dearborn superintendent warns federal grant uncertainty could force special-education costs onto local budget
Summary
Superintendent Malayko told the board that possible federal cuts — including a roughly $1.1 million reduction to a mental-health grant — could force the district to absorb services now supported by federal funds, and urged monitoring and advocacy for full IDEA funding.
Superintendent Malayko told the Dearborn City School District board on April 14 that uncertainty about federal grants could require the district to shift special-education costs into the general fund if Congress reduces current support.
Malayko said the district’s mental-health grant (HRA) — which supports school social workers and related services — could cost the district about $1,100,000 next year if funding is cut. “Next year, that would cost us about $1,100,000,” Malayko said. She added the district receives roughly $25,000,000 through consolidated title and special-education funding and that those amounts have been discussed as potentially subject to reduction.
Why this matters: federal entitlement grants and Title funding pay for services the district uses to meet obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Malayko told the board that IDEA remains a partly funded federal mandate and that a federal reduction would require the district to cover some services from local resources.
In presenting the potential impact, Malayko described advocacy steps she and district partners have taken. She said state and national groups, including the school board association and superintendent organizations, are urging full IDEA funding and that she plans meetings with congressional staff in Washington. “If they were to cut the federal funding ... there’s certain services that we would have to absorb in the general fund because you have to implement it by the IDEA law,” Malayko said.
The superintendent also highlighted recent recognition of the district’s special-education work. State auditors praised Dearborn’s special-education practices and invited district staff to present statewide; Malayko singled out special-education staff and students who participated in that presentation and noted local media interest.
Board members did not take a formal vote on the issue at the meeting. Budget staff were scheduled to present additional detail at a later budget discussion; Tom Wall was noted as the district staff member who will discuss the budget process and funding scenarios in upcoming meetings.
Clarifying details discussed at the meeting included the district’s estimate of the HRA shortfall ($1,100,000) and an approximate consolidated funding figure (about $25,000,000) for Title and special-education programs; the superintendent said federal special-education funding is not fully meeting the law’s required costs. Exact amounts of any future cuts were not specified.
Looking ahead, Malayko told the board she and district advocates will continue to monitor federal proposals and press for fuller IDEA funding, and the district’s financial team will incorporate potential grant scenarios into the upcoming budget process.
