Trustees call special session after questions about Title I funding and missing presenter

Trustee Smith told the board on Oct. 28 that community members, principals and teachers were calling for clarity about Title I and other federal program dollars and requested a special meeting so the Title I coordinator could present the status of application submissions and compliance timelines.

"I am requesting that a special session be scheduled next week…to allow Ms. Holt, our Title I coordinator, to present a comprehensive update regarding a Title I application process," Trustee Smith said, asking that administration and principals attend to answer questions about pending submissions and timelines.

Board President Gibson King and Superintendent Dr. Bornay said the person originally planned to present (identified in the record as the director of federal school improvement, variously named in the transcript) was not available because of a medical emergency and that the presentation would be rescheduled. The board president announced a special session for Nov. 1 at Central High School to address Title I questions and timelines.

Trustee Smith and others stressed urgency, saying Title I deadlines and related program implementation could be affected if the board did not obtain timely information. The superintendent and CFO had previously provided limited updates but trustees said public and staff questions remained. Trustee Smith requested all administration and principals attend the special session and said the board should schedule it as soon as possible to avoid delays in funding or program implementation.

Next steps: The board scheduled a special session for Nov. 1 at Central High School (time to be posted) to allow the Title I coordinator and federal school improvement staff to present and answer questions; the district will publish details on the website if changes occur.