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Buffalo ISD holds required ESSA public hearing; district projects roughly $370,000 in federal aid for 2026-27
Summary
At a public hearing, district staff outlined how ESSA Title funds will be used next year — Title I instructional supports (~$292,000), Title II teacher quality ($46,469), Title III English-learner supports ($19,071) and Title IV technology and enrichment — and urged families to complete the income survey that determines allocations.
Courtney, the presenter on federal grants, opened the required public hearing on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and walked trustees through the district's planned program uses and planning amounts for 2026'7.
"For 20 six-twenty 7 we're planning to get 292,000 a little over," Courtney said, noting Title I funds are driven by counts of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. She described Title I uses as instructional aides, salaries and stipends for parent/community liaisons and for shortage-area teacher pay at the high school. Courtney also said the district plans Title II for teacher and principal quality ($46,469 planning), Title III for emergent bilingual supports ($19,071 planning), and Title IV for well-rounded-education and technology (approximately $21,382), with the district intending to transfer Title IV funds into Title I for flexibility.
Courtney told the board the district expects roughly $370,000 in additional federal grant revenue next year and urged staff and families to complete the district income survey so the district can capture eligible students for Title allocations. "We get about $370,000 in additional revenue from federal grants," she said.
The hearing was framed as a compliance step required to solicit public comment on how federal funds are spent; no formal vote was required in the hearing itself. Trustees asked clarifying questions about dual-credit billing and how discounts for students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch reduce district costs for college courses. Courtney emphasized that some program planning amounts may change after reallocation and carryover notices later in the year.
What's next: the district will finalize allocations after carryover/reallocation notices and incorporate the federal plan into the 2026-27 budget process.
