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Hooksett school officials warn uncertain federal grants could force staffing, program choices
Summary
Hooksett school leaders told a quorum-lacking meeting that projected federal allocations for IDEA and other Title grants are roughly steady this year but future cuts — especially to Title II and Title IV — could create a roughly $654,000 shortfall and force staffing or program changes.
School officials in Hooksett told a meeting held without a quorum that uncertainty over federal grant allocations — chiefly the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title I, II and IV funds — could force difficult budget choices for staffing and student services.
"We're projected to get a total of $461,436 for this coming year, which is what we were planning on receiving. So, that's, good news for us," said Bill Reerick, SAU 15 superintendent of schools, describing the district's initial IDEA allocation. School administrators cautioned, however, that other federal and state funding streams are in flux and that longer-term cuts could require moving positions currently paid from grants into the general budget or eliminating them.
The federal IDEA allocation funds special education teachers, paraprofessionals, contracted therapy and adaptive equipment, officials said. "All of the supplies that we need, typically come out of the IDEA grant because they're so uniquely customizable to each student," said Christine Osborne, Hooksett director of student services. Kimberly Sarfte, assistant…
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