by Superintendent Mitch Wainwright
What is all of the talk around the Federal Department of Education possibly being shut down, and how could that impact Mineral Point Schools? This is a question that has come up at several meetings with the school board and even by community members. Unfortunately, I have heard several different answers, and the District has no clear answer at this time. When I attended a recent online meeting with superintendents from around the state, we were given three possible scenarios.
The first possibility is that for next year, there will be no change in our federal funding. The federal government’s fiscal year begins in October, and therefore, the money has already been set aside for each state to support current levels of education funding. This obviously would be the best case scenario for the Mineral Point Unified School District and every other school.
A second possible solution is that the money would be given to the states, as a block grant, with the requirement that twenty-five percent of that money be directed to private or voucher schools. A block grant would allow the state legislature to determine how the money should be spent. This has the potential to reduce the amount of money a school district would receive from the grant.
The third scenario would be that the money for several grants would be eliminated, and others drastically reduced. The federal money is divided into what are known as Title Funds. The Mineral Point Unified School District receives money in four different Title areas. These funds support school meals, special education services for students with disabilities, mental health support, and career and technical education, science, math, and technology education programs. It also supports educator professional development opportunities and smaller class sizes. In total, Mineral Point receives about four percent of our funding from the federal government. This amounts to approximately $437,000. Of this total, $137,000 covers our free and reduced breakfast and lunches for families that meet income qualifications. The remaining money covers the other areas allowable under Title programming.
When the school board voted to reach out to the community for support of an operating referendum last fall, this possible reduction in funding was not a factor on our radar. The financial information that I shared with many community members at the time focused on there being no changes in funding from state and federal sources. If these possible reductions do occur, they have the potential to have a very negative impact on how long the school district will be able to make the referendum dollars last. This is not meant to cause fear, but we want to keep you aware of what might happen, and hopefully more clarity will be coming soon. As always, we will continue to be fiscally responsible and provide the best education possible for all of our students that walk through our doors. That’s what makes us Pointer Nation.
If you have any questions, as always, please do not hesitate to contact me.