01-22-18 City Council Agenda Packet

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FEDERAL PRIORITIES We urge the Oregon delegation to support: An increase to Title funding across the board. There were no changes to the Title I funding formula that would steer a greater share of the funds to districts with high concentrations of students in poverty, but there were some changes to the Title 11 formula (which funds teacher quality) which would benefit rural states. The $1.6 billion block grant to states consolidates several programs, including physical education, Advanced Placement, school counseling, and education technology. We support funding these programs, some of which haven't received federal funding in years, but hope that there will be some discretionary funding available to support these programs going forward. Funding for the FCC E -Rate Program. Springfield Public Schools desperately seeks supplemental funding for technology infrastructure. Please support the FCC E -Rate program (including returning funding for telephone and voice services) and other federal agency programs that provide technology infrastructure for schools and communities. Fully funding the authorized level of $1.6 billion per year for the Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enhancement Grants. Guidance to states for this program should suggest that safe and healthy activities could include those offered after school or offered in partnership with a special service district or park and recreation district. School districts will have to spend at least 20 percent of their Title IV funding on at least one activity that helps students become well-rounded, and another 20 percent on at least one activity that helps kids be safe and healthy. Robust funding for separate line items, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (now under Title IV), which pays for after-school programs, arts in education, gifted education, Promise Neighborhoods, and a full-service community schools program. Fully funding the cost of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and supporting flexibility and additional resources to carry it out. Reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Careerand Technical Education Act and providing increased funding for school districts to create innovative, model career, and technical education programs. The continuation of funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the 2018 Farm Bill. Consistent with Section 405 (f) of the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, we encourage the delegation to ensure that federal forest revenues which help support Oregon's public schools are not supplanted by state agencies and budget writers.