Lehigh Valley school districts knew going into this spring’s budget talks that maintaining support systems for students would be challenging due to the expiration of pandemic relief funds, but uncertainty about the status of the U.S. Department of Education has added many more question marks to their discussions.
Federal funding might be a relatively small percentage of school districts’ overall budgets, but potential cuts could mean fewer resources for special education students, English learners, and enrichment programs such as technology grants and professional development for teachers, districts fear.
“A strategy that I think we’ve explored is let’s prepare for the worst and have some contingency plans,” said Harry Aristakesian, chief financial officer for Bethlehem Area School District. “But let’s hope for the best.”…