Follow the Funding
You know what services were discussed. You know which students and teachers need support. But do you know how much funding is available, how that amount was calculated, and how much has actually been used?
November is a good time to ask. Clear funding information helps school leaders participate meaningfully in consultation and plan services before deadlines become urgent.
What should you be reviewing?
Request information separately for each participating ESSA program and each federal grant year. A single combined balance can hide important differences in allowable services, available funds, and approaching deadlines.
Remember that equitable services funding remains under the control of the responsible public agency. These funds support services for eligible students and, as applicable, educators and families; they are not a payment to the private school.
What can your school do this week?
Request the calculation. Ask for the total program allocation, the data and method used to calculate the equitable share, and any adjustments. Confirm whether the figures are preliminary or final.
Request a spending update. Ask the local educational agency, or LEA, to identify expenditures to date, outstanding obligations, and funds that remain available. Request an explanation of administrative and provider costs charged to equitable services.
Separate the grant years. Ask the LEA to distinguish current funding from any prior year carryover and identify the applicable deadlines for each.
Compare spending with services. Review whether the financial report matches actual delivery. If spending is low because services have been delayed, request a plan to address the delay.
Plan the next conversation. Use the information to discuss unmet needs, appropriate service adjustments, and how remaining funds will support the agreed priorities.
Ask for a report you can understand
A useful funding update should include:
- Program and federal grant year
- Calculated equitable share
- Applicable carryover
- Expenditures to date
- Outstanding obligations not yet paid
- Remaining unobligated balance
- Administrative and provider costs
- Applicable obligation and payment deadlines
Ask the LEA to explain how these figures reconcile and whether services are funded through a pool shared across participating schools.
What about transfers and carryover?
If the LEA proposes transferring Title II, Part A or Title IV, Part A funds, it must consult with appropriate private school officials before the transfer. Ask how the proposed decision would affect services addressing your students’ and educators’ needs.
Equitable services have specific obligation and carryover requirements. Do not assume that an unused balance is automatically lost or available indefinitely. Ask which rule applies to each program and grant year, why funds remain, and how their use will be addressed through consultation.