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Wooster City Schools outlines use of roughly $1 million in IDEA Part B funds and cuts to wellness allocations
Summary
Director of student services reviewed federal IDEA Part B funds (FY26 a little over $1,000,000), outlined allowable uses and projected a slightly lower FY27 allocation; student wellness and DPIA funds were also discussed, with student wellness falling from about $344,000 to roughly $280,700.
The district’s director of student services reviewed how Wooster City Schools used federal special-education funding and several local wraparound grants, reporting spending and outlining priorities for the coming year.
“Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act” (IDEA Part B) provided “a little over $1,000,000” for fiscal year 2026, the director said, and the district has received a preliminary projection for FY27 that is slightly lower. The district expects to be allowed to carry over funds, and the director said administrators have been careful to spend dollars this year when appropriate so the district does not lose federal funding because of carryover rules.
The director described the federal rules that govern spending, noting the supplement-not-supplant principle and listing the district’s most common uses: instruction (including salaries for intervention specialists and specialized paraprofessionals), support services (about 6% in the current allocation for third-party therapy providers), professional development (about 5%) and a state-set nonpublic set-aside. She said some salary costs for a coordinator of student services are offset by IDEA funds and noted indirect-cost and governance allowances that contribute to that coverage.
On local wraparound funding, the director said student wellness and success funds totaled about $280,700 in FY26, down from roughly $344,000 in FY25. She described the funds’ role in supporting mental and physical health services, partner contracts (including a relationship with Akron Children’s Hospital), literacy coaches, credit recovery and surrogate-parent stipends. Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid (DPIA) this year was approximately $325,000–$335,000; the director said allocations may shift next year depending on participation and state calculations.
Board members asked clarifying questions about specific services and how restricted funds are documented. One trustee sought clarity on “excess cost” payments for placements outside the district; the director said such payments relate to documented need and are not open-enrollment choices. She also explained program fees, such as a yearly site fee for an outside wellness partner (O Huddle) that determines district cost after staffing and grant funding are set.
The director encouraged public comment on the draft spending plan as required by federal rules and said any public feedback will be used to inform priorities for the next fiscal year.
