District leadership briefed the school board on changes to federal Perkins grant rules that limit how large consortia may administer funds and require districts to choose a membership path by Dec. 1.

Administration explained the district’s Perkins allocation this year is roughly $11,000 and said the money is allocated based on Pell-eligible student counts rather than program pathways. The superintendent described three possible responses: decline the Perkins allocation (effectively letting another district claim the funds), join a different existing consortium that fits the district’s size, or create a smaller consortium of nearby districts with this district acting as the fiscal agent.

The superintendent requested the board’s authority to make the decision in the district’s best interest before the Dec. 1 deadline and said staff could call a special meeting if trustees want to act after additional information. A school board member moved to permit the superintendent to proceed with consortium arrangements based on the district’s best interest; the transcript does not record a final roll-call outcome for that motion.

Why it matters: Perkins funding helps purchase CTE equipment and professional development for career-technical instruction. The board’s choice affects how the district accesses federal support for CTE pathways and whether additional local administrative responsibilities would be required.

What’s next: Administration will pursue follow-up meetings with potential partners, evaluate membership costs and service levels, and return with a recommendation before the Dec. 1 notification deadline.