Newport News officials present $17.5M federal funding plan and propose fiscal policy updates

Naomi Oliver, director of federal programs for Newport News Public Schools, presented the division's 2026–27 federal funding plan at the May 19 board meeting, estimating roughly $17,500,000 in federal Title grants for the coming school year.

Oliver outlined the projected allocations: Title I Part A — approximately $14,600,000 (with about $12,500,000 for staff salary and benefits and more than $2,000,000 for other activities); Title II Part A — about $1,600,000 (approximately $1,400,000 for staff salary and benefits); Title III Part A — roughly $240,000 (split into ~$140,000 salary/benefits and $100,000 other expenses); Title IV Part A — approximately $1,000,000 (with $657,000 for staff salary/benefits and $350,000 for other activities); and Title I Part D — about $122,800 for prevention and intervention programs at the Lee Hall academy.

"All federal funds are planned and monitored to ensure alignment with identified student needs and compliance with state and federal requirements," Oliver said, noting that applications will come before the board for approval on June 16 and then be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education by July 1.

Board members asked how the division monitors the effectiveness of grant spending. Oliver said monitoring depends on the grant and building — measures may include impact on student scores and program‑specific indicators — and offered to provide specific percentages for schools that lost Title I eligibility. She confirmed Crittenton Middle School and Heritage High School no longer qualified for Title I under the spring 2026 Community Eligibility Provision data and said the division will work to maintain continuity of services where possible.

The board also reviewed proposed updates to the fiscal management chapter, presented by Tracy Brooks and staff. Highlights included a new policy requiring an external auditor to conduct annual independent financial and federal grant compliance audits, procurement language that emphasizes "best value" (quality plus price) rather than lowest bid only, a name change and clarifications for supplemental retirement plan governance, and a school‑property disposition policy allowing employees to purchase surplus items that do not exceed $500, subject to conflict‑of‑interest rules.

Board members asked staff to provide a cost estimate for paying nonexempt employees biweekly rather than monthly; staff said they would analyze costs and report back. The proposed policies and procedures will return for board action on June 16 and, if approved, be posted to the division's website.

Next steps: board consideration of federal grant applications on June 16 and staff follow‑up on monitoring metrics and payroll cost estimates.