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District staff reviews federal grants, student counts and proposed staffing reallocations
Summary
District federal programs staff presented grant summaries and student demographic data (migrant ~716, homeless ~454) and summarized a staffing allocation memo with a net decrease of 61 positions and specific para and health‑tech adjustments; board members asked for dollar amounts and roll‑forward rules for grant funds.
District federal programs staff gave a condensed overview of federal grant programs and recent population counts at the Highlands County School Board second workshop.
What was presented: The staff summary included recent counts and grant uses: migrant education population listed at about 716 students, the homelessness count at about 454 students, and English‑learner totals near 845. Staff reviewed Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, Title V and Title IX grants, providing approximate funding and how the district uses each grant (examples cited: Title I Part C ~ $685,000 for migrant programming; Title II Part A ~ $654,000 for professional development; Title IV ~ $368,000 for student support and enrichment; Title IX Part C ~ $62,000 for McKinney‑Vento services).
Why it matters: Staff emphasized that federal grants are supplemental and must add to, not replace, core services. Several board members asked whether unused grant funds roll forward and how private school equitable‑share is administered; staff said Title I allows limited roll forward (up to 15%) while Title II does not automatically roll forward funds, and confirmed private schools that participate receive equitable share subject to documentation.
Budget memo and staffing: District staff summarized changes in the allocation memo, noting a net decrease of 61 staffing allocations and school‑level shifts (for example, half a para moved from one high school to another). Staff also recommended adding two elementary health technician positions to replace services the county health department could no longer sustain; the memo itemized those changes and the staff member presenting said she would provide larger handouts and financial detail on request.
Board questions and follow up: Board members asked for dollar amounts tied to individual grant lines and for clearer reporting on unallowable expenses and private school shares; staff said she would provide the figures and make the materials larger for posting. The district noted that federal program periods generally run July 1 to June 30 (Title IX runs through August 31) and reiterated compliance requirements for supplemental usage.
Next steps: Staff offered to provide more detailed handouts, requested follow‑up questions by email and said the memo will move through the normal appropriation/allocation process.
