Title I update: Mitchellville to lose Title I status next year as allocations shrink

District staff presented the Title I annual update and explained how federal allocation, census data and free-and-reduced-price (FRP) rates determine which schools receive Title I services.

Staff said the district's overall Title I allocation was reduced this year based on updated census data. School selection occurs in June, but based on current October data staff reported the district will serve five schools in 2025-26 instead of six; Mitchellville Elementary will not be designated for Title I services next year. The presenter explained what the change means in practice: "They had 1 title 1 staff member, and so that member has been reassigned throughout the district for next year. She'll continue that. And so, all buildings have a, reading interventionist, and then title 1 schools get interventionists on top of that. So they will still have a reading interventionist, but they will no longer have a math interventionist. Only title 1 buildings have math interventionists."

Staff emphasized Title I funds are meant to supplement, not supplant, existing instruction and that services may be delivered via push-in, pull-out or hybrid models targeted typically at K-3 foundational literacy and math needs. Family engagement budgets are included for each Title I school to support events and materials.

Why it matters: the removal of Title I designation reduces the district's targeted staffing capacity at the school level. Staff said the district's established MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) structure will remain, but the loss of the additional Title I math interventionist at Mitchellville will reduce the school's dedicated math-intervention capacity.

The board received the report; no formal action was required.