District 49 presents annual Title I–IV funding update; two middle schools added to Title I next year

District 49 presented its annual federal Title program update at the March 13 board meeting, outlining current allocations and planned uses for Title I, II, III and IV funds and identifying two middle schools to be added to the district’s Title I list for next year.

Karen Bixler, the district’s title programs coordinator, told the board that the district’s Title I allocation for the school year totaled "just over $4,500,000" (including carryover) and that Title I funds currently serve more than 3,900 students in eight schools. She said two additional schools — Skyview Middle School and Power Technical Middle School — will be added to Title I next year and that planning with those campuses is already under way.

Bixler outlined other federal allocations presented to the board: Title II final allocation (just over $640,000) to support educator professional development and district-level coaching positions; Title III allocation (about $130,000) that funds CLDE family liaisons and newcomer supports; and Title IV allocation (around $280,000) to support well-rounded learning, safety/healthy school initiatives and educational-technology work such as U-Science and EduReady platforms.

She described the district’s annual review and consolidated-application process, noting that Title funds are supplemental to state and local funding and are allocated following a needs assessment and Unified Improvement Plan alignment. Board members asked clarifying questions about district carryover and how Title I funds are targeted to elementary and middle schools rather than high schools; Bixler explained allocation methodology and criteria used to determine school eligibility.

Directors praised aspects of the district’s programs and asked the coordinator to continue engagement with principals and stakeholders as planning proceeds for next year’s Title I service areas.