District officials warn federal funding freeze could cut about $2.1 million from Baldwin County schools' programs

Baldwin County Public Schools budget staff told the school board at the July 15 work session that a freeze on federal education funds affecting fiscal 2026 could reduce district federal allocations by about $2.1 million based on fiscal 2025 awards.

"The potential loss looking at this if the freeze maintains is about $2,100,000 based on last year's appropriation," said John, a district finance staffer, as he outlined the districts' Title program allocations and current uses.

John and other finance staff described how multiple federal Title programs support district activities: Title II-A (professional development and teacher-mentor stipends), Title III (English learner/home-school liaison positions and materials), and Title IV (well-rounded education, safety and healthy students, and effective use of technology). John said the district received less Title funding overall for the coming year and expects the freeze could require local absorption of some roles and expenses.

Finance staff provided program-level examples of what the federal funds pay for: Title II-A supports teacher-mentor stipends, PD subs, curriculum consultants and conference travel; Title III supports approximately three full-time bilingual home‑school liaisons who make home visits and supply materials; Title IV pays for STEAM materials, safety items, PE equipment and a software subscription (identified in the meeting as Kami).

"I fully anticipate coming up with a plan to shift the actual salaries and benefits to local," John said about Title III-funded positions, adding the district is in a financial position to absorb some costs but would need to prioritize spending if the freeze holds.

John also reported the district's Title I allocation declined by roughly $500,000 while the number of qualifying schools increased; he said about five additional schools are newly qualifying for Title I supports and listed Robertsdale, Alberta and Spanish Fort elementary among them and said a name transcribed as "Bowen County" was included in his remarks. The district will address allocation changes at the August budget hearing.

Finance staff emphasized uncertainty remains while federal appropriations are the subject of litigation and state allocations for FY26 have not been finalized. Staff said they will prepare the FY26 budget assuming the frozen funds are not available and will update the board at the formal budget hearing in August.

No formal budget decisions were made during the work session; staff presented information to inform upcoming budget discussions.