Fabens ISD outlines ESSA and special education grant drafts, flags reduced federal allocations

District staff presented draft ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) consolidated grant applications and a SPED consolidated grant at the July 15 meeting, outlining proposed allocations and compliance requirements. "The 1st 1 that we have is a title 1 part a. That tends to be your largest grant," presenter Lipro Galavis said while explaining major budget categories, which include payroll for targeted staff, contracted services for parent engagement, and provisions for homeless transportation.

Galavis detailed projected amounts and how reductions from prior years will affect allocations: Title I remains the largest entitlement, while Title II, Title III and Title IV funds are smaller; some previously larger grant totals have been reduced. The presentation included use cases (payroll for migrant specialist and tutoring for emerging bilingual students), indirect cost estimates, and the requirement that evidence of family engagement and improvement plans be available for state validation and audits. Trustees asked questions about sustainability and the implications of reduced federal funding; administration said the applications were still in draft and open to board feedback before submission.