Scott County School Board approves special-education Part B plan and multiple Head Start reports and policies

The Scott County School Board on May 5 approved the Local Special Education Annual Plan/Part B Flow-Through Application and the Part B Section 619 early childhood grant application, after Supervisor of Special Education Brenda Robinette presented the plan to the board.

The approvals were part of a broader slate of program and financial items the board acted on at its regular meeting in Gate City. The board also approved the December 2025 and March 2026 Head Start financial reports and received the Head Start director’s report covering enrollment, attendance, health screenings, CLASS observations and family-engagement activity plans.

Why it matters: The Part B and Section 619 awards fund special-education staffing, early-intervening services and proportionate set-aside services for children with disabilities, including services for children placed by parents in private or home schools. The Head Start approvals include program financials, CACFP meal reimbursements and documentation the board uses to meet federal grant requirements.

Details of the vote and funding: Brenda Robinette described the Division’s planned use of Part B funds for partial salaries for 15 special-education teachers, fringe benefits, professional development, curricula and instructional materials. The board approved the applications on a motion by Vice Chair Steve Sallee, seconded by Patricia Edwards; the motion carried with all members voting aye.

Head Start business approved by the board included the December 2025 year-end financial report (federal drawdowns, non-federal match and expenses) and the March 2026 quarterly financial update. The packet included detailed budget-to-actual tables, CACFP data, reconciliation summaries and narratives noting a pending carryover request and in-kind match figures. The board approved both reports as presented.

Policy and program operations: The board adopted Head Start SOP Policy A-53, a whistleblower protection policy included in the meeting packet, and approved the Head Start selection criteria for 2026–2027 which outlines eligibility tiers, prioritized groups (homeless, foster, children with disabilities, etc.) and continuity-of-care rules. The whistleblower policy and selection criteria were presented as appendices and adopted by motion.

What happens next: Approved federal applications and financial reports will remain part of the program record and support federal compliance reporting. The Head Start director’s office will continue to implement family-engagement events and program monitoring described in the report.