Presenter: Grants provide targeted support, nearly $900,000 in special‑education funding, district told

Sarah Vera presented the committee’s sixth financial series briefing, focusing on grants and how the district uses them to support targeted student services.

"Grants are typically pretty restricted in the use of funds," Vera said, outlining formula versus competitive grants and walking the committee through Title I–IV, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act flow‑through and preschool, the Perkins career and technical education grant, and the National School Lunch Program. Vera emphasized monitoring and accountability, noting uniform grant guidance, EDGAR regulations and single‑audit thresholds as central controls.

Vera told the committee the district uses Title I funds primarily for multi‑tiered support staff and that private‑school set‑asides require meet‑and‑confer processes with private schools. On IDEA, she said the largest federal special education allocation provides substantial support and that "there's over $800,000, almost $900,000 in grant money that goes directly to special education services."

Jake Mizak clarified that the district receives "a little over $100,000" in Title I allocation and that private schools may elect not to participate because of reporting requirements and administrative burden. Committee members suggested an annual report showing how federal funds offset general‑fund costs and wider publication of presentation slides.

The presentation included regional comparisons showing Germantown's allocations are similar to neighboring districts and a reminder that first‑year curriculum or program adjustments sometimes yield discounts (for example, the math center’s discount on student workbooks associated with a Bridges curriculum transition). Vera said she will return to present student membership counts and open enrollment in May.

The committee did not take formal action on policy changes; staff agreed to post the presentation in the meeting packet and consider an annual summary report of out‑of‑district professional development and grant utilization.