Fiscal year 2025 arrived earlier this month for the Dade County School District, but members of the Board of Education might have the census year of 2020 more in mind, with the realization of reduced federal grant funding for the coming school year.
At Monday night’s board meeting, Jeremy Roerdink, Dade Schools’ Director of Federal Programs and Safety, briefed board members to prepare for less incoming federal funding for Dade’s Title I,II & IV grant awards in the new fiscal year.
Roerdink attributes the nearly $50,000 drop in Title I funds due to the 2020 U.S. Census, which was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Roerdink suggested to the board that the virus may have impacted census participation and it’s now being reflected in the cut of federal funding, some of which is based on population.
For fiscal year 2023, Dade Schools received $488,632 for Title I Part A grants.
In 2024’s fiscal year, the federal grant grew to $496,129 for the district.
But for the new 2025 fiscal year, the same grant shrank to $446,231.
Roerdink notes the Covid era census will also negatively impact the district’s Title II grant by more than 9 thousand dollars, and Title IV will be sliced $1,600 from the previous year.
The FY 2025 total of Dade’sTitle IV federal funding is 37,149. Title II grant totals for FY 2025 are tabbed for $76,344.
The funds are used to help pay salaries for full and part time paraprofessionals, interventionist and coach positions.
In other board action, a new Parent Family Engagement Plan was approved, required for district eligibility to federal grant funding.
Members approving the Title I,II & IV federal allocations.
A bid for Pillar Construction to build a new baseball facility for Dade County High was approved, as was a district fuel bid with Valley Oil.
Board members also unanimously approved the purchase of two new International school buses with an 83 seat capacity for $146,000 each.
Transportation Supervisor John Smith says the acquisitions will bring the entire fleet up to date with air conditioning for the 20 routes served, with none of the buses older than 2019 models, all International.
Superintendent Josh Ingle updated members on the construction of the new Davis Elementary school site, with block laying and slab prep set to begin in August.
Ingle says crews hope to have the project “dried in” by Thanksgiving.
Ingle also noted the Kids Day event set for this Saturday from 10am -2pm at Dade County High Schools Commons, with incentives including free haircuts and food boxes while they last.
By Vince Lennon
