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Schools liaison warns Westborough could lose about $130,000 as federal grants are withheld
Summary
A schools liaison told the advisory finance committee that roughly $130,000 in federal grants expected by Westborough schools may be withheld by the U.S. Department of Education, affecting Title II-A, Title III-A and Title IV-A programs and prompting the district to consider service changes.
A schools liaison told the Town of Westborough Advisory Finance Committee that the U.S. Department of Education has withheld funds that the liaison said total roughly $108 million for Massachusetts and that Westborough’s anticipated share is about $130,000.
The liaison said the withheld funds include several targeted federal grants: a Title II-A grant for teacher professional development (about $46,792), Title III-A funding for English-language learners (about $69,034) and a Title IV-A student-support/enrichment grant (about $10,000). The liaison said the Title III-A amount covers summer-school and after-school staff and that the loss would affect specific programs.
“We should be aware that a $130,000 just disappeared out of her expected income for the schools,” the liaison said, reporting what she had learned from the superintendent. Committee members cautioned that the situation is still in flux and that the district and state could respond; one member noted litigation by school districts challenging federal withholding in other cases.
The liaison said it was too soon to expect immediate plans from the superintendent but emphasized the need for the school district to decide whether to discontinue targeted services, shift local funding, or reallocate existing resources. Committee members said they will follow the issue as the schools determine program-level impacts.
The report came as part of the committee’s liaison updates and was presented for awareness rather than vote action; no formal town-level financial decision was recorded in response during the meeting.
