The USD 503 Board of Education Monday night learned that staff is continuing its work on the budget, making adjustments for funding that fell off and for distribution restrictions for other funding.
Superintendent Lori Perkins said the U.S. Department of Education has withheld $110,428 in Title funds for USD 503, approved by Congress and the president in March for promoting student support and academic enrichment (Title IV) and for training, recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers (Title II). These, as well as Title programs targeting the education of migrants set up by civil rights laws, are all under “ongoing programmatic review” by the DOE. Overall, the DOE froze nearly $50 million in Title funding for Kansas schools.
“Some schools in Kansas lost more than $1 million,” Perkins told the board, naming districts such as Kansas City, Eudora and others hard hit by the freeze. KC public schools Superintendent Jennifer Collier said in a statement Monday that $4.1 million in federal funding was frozen for Kansas City Public Schools, causing immediate consequences.
While programs are being reviewed, Trump’s 2026 budget proposal calls for the elimination of Title II and Title IV funds, among others. Given that, the state has recommended that schools budget for receipt of the Title funds to avoid having to republish their budgets should Congress pass them through, but
See SCHOOL, Page 5.
to plan spending as though the funds are being eliminated.
“It is sad and disturbing because these funds are being cut from those who need it the most,” Perkins said.
These are just the latest hits in tens of millions in funding to Kansas public education, which has seen ongoing losses in recent months as other federal funds have been withheld, state agencies offering grants have lost federal funding or had their funding cut by the state.
The U.S. Supreme Court granted President Trump the ability to continue with the mass layoffs of employees of the DOE, as he continues to move toward dismantling the federal agency and moving the functions back to the states.
Kansas public schools do not know what to expect moving forward.
Perkins said USD 503 wants to continue to provide all amenities for students.
“We are going to control the things we can control and not worry about things we can’t,” Perkins said.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board: Heard online enrollment is now open for new and prior students. In-person enrollment can be done at all buildings on July 31.
Heard high school and middle school principals and secretaries return Friday.
Heard elementary principals return July 25.
Heard new teacher orientation is Aug. 6.
Heard Vikingfest is Aug. 7. Heard substitute teacher training is Aug. 13.
Heard staff professional development is scheduled for Aug. 14, 15, 18 and 19.
Heard Aug. 20 is the first day of school for all students, pre-K through 12th grade. It will be a full day of school.
Heard Tri-County is actively hiring paraprofessionals.
Accepted $20,620 in donations to schools.
Approved the Kansas Association of School Board policies updates presented in June.
Discussed the first reading of the Classified Staff Handbook.
Approved the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Handbooks, Bus Driver Handbook, Parent Student Transportation Handbook and Social Media Guidelines.
Approved the 2025-2026 Accountability Plan.
Approved the vendor contractor for St. Patrick Catholic School to provide meals.
Approved the lease agreement with the Parsons Recreation Commission for use of the soccer field for one year.
Approved the memorandum of understanding between USD 503, the city of Parsons and the Parsons Recreation Commission in conjunction with the lease for soccer field use.
Approved the Cardiac Response Plan for all buildings, which entails there being a response team in each building with persons trained not only to use the AEDs, but also trained in CPR.
Approved supplemental assignments for the 2025-2026 school year.
Accepted the resignations of Brittney Cater, Guthridge parttime custodian; Jamie Clark, high school assistant softball coach; Sally Clay, high school assistant track coach; Miranda Grinnell, payroll accounts payable clerk; Lauren Oberle, assistant junior class sponsor; and Aiden O’Banion, middle school assistant football coach.
Hired Bridget Dunlay as high school assistant girls basketball coach; Amanda Haile as custodian; Kyle Hutley as high school assistant girls basketball coach; Patti Kuffler as high school part-time custodian; and Shealyn Wilds as high school financial clerk.
Approved transfers of employment for Sally Clay, from high school language arts teacher to high school guidance counselor; and Cherie Curtis, from high school financial clerk to payroll, accounts payable clerk.
