The 2001-2002 Budget included $6,374,211 in both revenues and expenditures for federal and state programs. Budget modifications are necessary to properly reflect the current status of funding from various federal and state organizations in the 2001-2002 Budget. The provisions of the Public School Code of 1949, Title 24, Article VI, Section 609 allow for these budget modifications required on a program basis to reflect revisions approved by the various federal and state organizations. These changes will adjust the total federal and state programs' revenues and expenditures from $6,374,211 to $6,632,613.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the administration be authorized to revise the federal and state program budgets as indicated on the attached schedule.
ROLL CALL RECOMMENDATIONS 10, 12, and 23 Director Amato asked Mr. Majewski to explain item 23. Mr. Majewski explained that as we are receiving approvals for grants or the amount of grants, the budget amounts change; the federal/state/local grant budget is adjusted based on those changes. As the size of the grant increased, the budget is increased in order to reflect those changes. Mrs. Kostem commented that, in this particular case, the increase was due to the fact that the money that had been kept was for the charter school that was scheduled to open. When that charter school did not open, these amounts were increased. It is tied to the grant funding, but also had to do with charter schools. Director Amato asked if the monies Mrs. Cintr—n has acquired for the school district in excess of $6.6 million can be tapped by charter schools. Mrs. Kostem replied that in Title I, money is held for charter schools. Mrs. Cintr—n stated that when the Lehigh Valley Academy was being considered, the federal programs division of the Pennsylvania Department of Education held back the amounts listed on the page for federal budgets for that charter school. That would be the class size reduction, Title I, Title II, and Title VI. When that charter school did not open, the money was put back into the school district budget. That is the reason for the agenda item. It shows the money coming back to the school district. Mrs. Cintr—n stated that these grants are all federal and a couple are entitlement grants. Yes, the charter schools will see an amount from these federal grants as they are approved. Director Amato commented that she does a lot of hard work to acquire grants for this school district and these charter schools, without doing a thing, can get money from those grants that have been awarded to us. Mrs. Kostem responded that most of the grants talked about here are entitlement grants. The district receives those grants because there are certain conditions that are true for our district - enrollment or poverty level. Yes, once the district has filled out the paper work for those entitlement grants, federal programs portion at PDE withholds an amount of money. The charter school did not open; the money has come back to the district. Director Heske questioned the School Performance Funding Improvement Award. Mrs. Kostem replied that, depending upon scores on the Pennsylvania State Assessment, whether scores have been raised or attendance improved, a certain amount of money is given to the school district. The district received publicity on this late last fall. The money has just come through. Nearly half of our schools did receive some amount of money for either improved scores or improved attendance patterns for the school. Director Heske stated he wanted to call attention to this item because our schools have done some things to help themselves and are doing a good job. If we hadn't been doing a good job, that is $170,000 that we would not have. Director Craig moved the administration's recommendations 10, 12, and 23. Director Heske seconded the motion. The question was called and roll call was as follows: Yea, Directors Koch, Leeson, Venanzi, Williams, Amato, Craig, Gallagher, Haytmanek, and Heske - 9. Motion passed 9 - 0.