Board acknowledges federal consolidated application, outlines Title I, II and IV allocations

The Sioux Falls School District 49-5 board acknowledged the district's federal consolidated application for the 2026–27 school year after a presentation explaining how federal grants will be coordinated to support district priorities.

Elizabeth Herbo, who oversees federal programs, told trustees the consolidated application combines four federal programs into a coordinated plan that supports instructional opportunities, educator effectiveness and safe, well-rounded learning environments. She said total federal funding increased from just over $9,000,000 to about $10,200,000 over the cited multi-year window and that Title I Part A continues to account for roughly 74% of the district's federal allocation. "One notable change this year was Title I Part A, which decreased by approximately $170,000 from last year," Herbo said.

Herbo described how Title I funds are directed to schools that serve the greatest academic needs and listed common uses of the funds, including class-size reduction teachers, reading-intervention staff, instructional coaches, English-learner teachers, social workers and transportation for homeless services. She explained that equitable services for private schools are determined by the district's HAC (home attendance center) report and that the district must allocate a proportional share of Title dollars to eligible private-school students based on residency within district boundaries.

Board members asked when the district would receive final dollars; Herbo said the district has been allocated the funding but will officially receive the funds once the consolidated application is approved by the South Dakota Department of Education, typically in late fall (around early October). "We have been allocated that funding," she said, "and then we officially receive them once the consolidated application is approved by the state, typically late fall, around early October."

A motion to acknowledge the federal consolidated application overview and submission to the state department was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.

Trustees discussed follow-up information they would like to see, including a breakdown of the portion of Title dollars reallocated to private schools; Herbo said that specific proportional-share numbers were not on the report but that the district could provide that information if requested.

The board's acknowledgement clears the way for the district to submit the consolidated application to the state and continue planning how federal resources will be used in FY27 to support schools and students across Sioux Falls School District 49-5.