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Agency official: East Allegheny selected for federal infrastructure consultation; district responds to ICE memo and honors longtime board member
Summary
An agency official told the board East Allegheny was chosen among 41 districts for a federal SASI consultation and highlighted portions of the governor's education budget; the district also described guidance after an ICE memo and held a moment of silence for longtime board member Frank Pearsall.
An agency official reported that East Allegheny was selected as one of 41 districts to receive consultation under a Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) initiative and highlighted elements of the governor’s education budget that could affect the district.
The official said, "We made the cut, and we are 1 of the 41 districts that are gonna be in this group," describing the SASI award as a statewide consulting allocation rather than a direct allocation of construction funds. The official said Pennsylvania’s SASI award totaled roughly $8,200,000 statewide and that the state chose 41 districts for consultation rather than distributing funds directly to each school.
The official also reviewed items called out in the governor’s budget address, noting an allocation of $526,000,000 identified for underfunded schools in the presenter’s summary and an increase in school facility improvement grants to $125,000,000.
Separately, the official said the district circulated guidance after reviewing an ICE memorandum that removed a prior understanding that schools and churches were off-limits for immigration arrests. The district consulted legal counsel and national superintendents’ associations and said it is centering student protections and FERPA rights in its response.
"We're centering the needs of students and families and protecting our students after conversations with our legal team," the official said, referencing FERPA protections and national guidance.
The board also held a brief remembrance for Frank Pearsall, noting 28 years of service and an open board seat; the official said the board will solicit community input on a longer-term honor.
No formal votes were taken on grants or personnel at the meeting; administrators said they will provide follow-up on SASI participation and any implications for facility planning.
