School officials discuss possible Title I designation for Midway Elementary; officials warn designation redistributes, not increases, Title I funds

District academic staff presented a preliminary discussion about pursuing Title I designation for Midway Elementary, explaining the federal Title I program provides additional resources and family‑engagement requirements for schools serving high percentages of low‑income students. Presenters said the school’s CEP (community eligibility provision) percentage has trended upward—roughly 40% in 2020–2022, around 45% in 2023 and close to 46% in 2024—and that official CEP figures submitted April 15 were pending verification.

Staff emphasized that Title I designation would not necessarily increase the district’s total Title I funding; instead, it would change how existing Title I funds are allocated among the district’s schools. Administrators said that, if Midway were added to the Title I allocation, some funding portions currently dedicated to other schools would be redistributed across all five elementary schools on a percentage basis. They also described supports Title I requires, such as family engagement events, literacy resources for parents and intervention support, and noted the importance of sustainability for any positions funded through Title I.

Administrators said Midway teachers were consulted and generally supportive of designation; they described possible supports—including modeling by the lead Title I literacy interventionist (Ms. Irvin) and assistance from the district behavior specialist (Mr. Timmons)—and proposed next steps: gather spring data, continue teacher and parent input via surveys, and, if the board chooses, submit an application for Title I designation. No final decision was made at the meeting.