March 26, 2017 at 11:52 p.m.
From helping to pay for pre-K programs to teacher training, federal education funding has a direct impact on area schools and so do proposed cuts, said Gilmer ISD Superintendent Rick Albritton.
That’s why many East Texas school districts are looking at a recently released budget proposal from President Donald Trump and how it would affect their programs if his proposed spending cuts are approved by Congress.
“Cuts to education funding always affect school districts,” Albritton said.
In his proposed $59 million budget, Trump called for a 13.5 percent decrease or about $9.2 billion in funding for the Department of Education.
Trump’s proposed budget includes a $168 million increase for charter schools, about 50 percent more, and $250 million for a private-school choice program.
Proposed cuts include federal work-study funds, which help college students work while taking classes; federal programs that help disadvantaged middle and high school students prepare for college; the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, which provides aid to college students with “exceptional financial need”; reading programs; Pell Grant reserve funds; grants for teacher training; and funding for after-school and summer enrichment programs.
Area school districts use federal funding in a variety of ways, much of it supplemental funding that assists students who are struggling or economically disadvantaged. Districts also use it to pay for professional training, to lower teacher-student ratios, to fund Region 7 Education Center services and for things such as Head Start programs.
Hallsville ISD uses federal grants for such things as to help pay for teacher training, adult basic education, the Individuals with Disabilities Act and education for economically-disadvantaged students and homeless and delinquent students, district spokeswoman Carol Greer said.
“These grant programs, which cover many areas of a child’s education, are essential to the success of HISD’s students,” she said.
In Spring Hill ISD, Superintendent Steven Snell said his district uses federal funds as part of the Title I program, which focuses on schools with high concentrations of poverty. “Those have a much higher impact on what we do.”
At East Texas Charter High School, Superintendent Terry Lapic said his school chooses not to use federal funding, so any potential budget cuts or increases would not affect his campus.
Longview ISD officials said they are waiting to see which cuts will make it through the budget process, but they know any cuts will impact all public schools.
“However, as we have always done in the past, we will continue to offer the best services at the highest level for all students,” Assistant Superintendent Jody Clements said. The district doesn’t use federal money to completely fund programs, but rather supplement them, Albritton said.
Albritton said Gilmer ISD is looking at proposed federal and state budgets to see how district funding is going to be affected in the future.
“We hope to know more by May,” he said.
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