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Superintendent briefs board on possible federal Education Department changes; says district Title I funding not immediately threatened
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Allen told the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board the district’s Title and special-education funding streams were continuing, but cautioned that proposed changes to federal administration could create timing and oversight issues.
Superintendent Dr. Allen briefed the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on March 26 about national proposals to reorganize or shift responsibilities away from the U.S. Department of Education and what that could mean for district programs and funding.
In the discussion, Dr. Allen said Title programs support several district functions and that Title I funds for low-income student supports come from federal appropriations to the Department of Education, are routed through the state, and are then distributed to districts. “For our district, that is roughly about a million dollars of funds,” she said, later describing it as “probably 1.1, maybe $1,150,000” in total Title funding. She emphasized that, as of the board meeting, the district had not been told those federal allocations would be cut, though she said changes in who administers the funds or whom the state should contact could cause cash-flow timing issues.
Dr. Allen also addressed special education funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She said the federal government has historically provided less than the statute’s full share and that about 20% of the district’s IDEA funding has come from federal sources; the state and local contributions fill the remainder. She told board members the statutory obligations to provide services remain in place regardless of federal administrative changes.
On Head Start and related oversight, board members asked whether program supervision or acceptance timelines might be affected; Dr. Allen and Head Start staff said federal block grants and Head Start funds are currently continuing but that oversight and approval processes could see effects if federal agency responsibilities change. Head Start staff later presented the district’s continuation application, which the board approved.
Why it matters: The superintendent framed the discussion to reassure the board that district operations and federally supported programs were continuing, while noting potential administrative friction points that could create timing or oversight concerns if federal responsibilities shift.
What was said (selected points) - Dr. Allen: “For our district, that is roughly about a million dollars of funds…probably 1.1, maybe $1,150,000 comes in for title funds.” - On IDEA: Dr. Allen said federal contributions historically underfunded the statutory obligation and that about 20% of IDEA funds for the district come from the federal government. - Head Start/Early Head Start: district staff indicated the program is still accepting applications and that funding was continuing at the time of the meeting, but they flagged potential oversight timing questions if federal administration changes.
Next steps: The district filed and the board approved the Head Start continuation application; the superintendent said she would inform the board if any changes to federal funding or administrative procedures created cash-flow or service-delivery issues.
