Our commitment to students and families

Posted Date: 1/17/25 (1:30 AM)

Dear families,

We have received several questions from families about potential federal government changes recently reported in the media. While school districts are waiting and monitoring the actions closely, we hope the following information is helpful for families until we have more information.

Question: What happens if the U.S. Department of Education is dissolved?
Answer: Our school district receives about two percent of our budget from the U.S. Department of Education, which helps support students learning to speak English and students receiving special services. Until there is a clear plan announced to dissolve the department that includes how current funding will be distributed, it’s difficult to predict the impact to our district. However, dissolving the department does not necessarily mean that allocated federal funds will stop flowing to districts.

We expect that IF the federal education department is dissolved, the funding and program oversight may shift to other departments or the states, which may not be a large impact for schools. However, we are monitoring the situation closely to prepare for what may come our way as best we can.

Question: What would happen to the special education and 504 supports?
Answer: Every child has the right to a public education. Public schools must provide education for students who require special services per state and federal law. While the current federal funding may shift, schools must have a way to provide resources to ensure all children receive an education.

Question: What about immigrant students or family members?
Answer: Every child has the right to a public education, regardless of immigration status. The board policy follows state and federal laws which state that school personnel do not collect immigration status information from families and that school properties are considered sanctuary spaces. If you have questions or concerns about your family or friends, please contact one of the organizations below for assistance.

Resources

We’ll continue to monitor any changes from the federal government and keep families informed as we learn more. As always, we exist to teach students and support their families, and we will continue to serve every student.