Because of questions about federal funding coming down to the state, many employees of the state’s Migrant Education Program housed in Eudora have either had their contracts non-renewed, resigned or transferred to other programs.
The state’s Migrant Education Program is funded by the federal government and distributed by the Kansas Department of Education as part of Title I. Although the program is housed in Eudora’s West Resource Center, it serves students across the state. Superintendent Stu Moeckel said although funding has been approved by Congress for the program, it’s at a standstill. At a state level, they were concerned about re-approving contracts if the funding was not there, Moeckel said.
Five employees did not have contracts renewed, three transferred to other roles and three resigned, according to the school board agenda.
Affected employees include Travis Williamson, Ruth Deras, Sandy Alcala, Sandra Lobato, Marivel Esquivel, Susanna Bartee, Lizmarie Garcia, Carlos Cardoza, Susan Henry, Emily Hoffman and Faustino Rosales Jr.
At the end of June, a letter was issued to many of the contracted workers letting them know that the program is not shut-down but funding for it has not been received by the state. The school board agenda earlier this week approved the resignation and non-renewal of many of the program’s employees as the state doesn’t know if the funding will be there for next year, Moeckel said.
The program supports migratory students and reduces the effects of repeated moves on education. Students must have moved in the last 36 months and be under age 22 and either they or a parent work in an agricultural-related field. Jobs can be in dairy, meat processing, crop farming, vineyards or others.
The Times previously wrote a story about the program and its impact on students here.
Kansas Migrant Education Program services coordinator Tracie Kalic and Director John Farrell shared a statement with the Times saying due to the uncertainty at this time it is difficult to comment on the program. They said they hope to have more information about the future of the program by the end of August.
Kalic also said the reduction in force is due to non-secured funding.
No Eudora students utilize the program at this time, Moeckel said.
Similar to some of the other Title funding the district receives, they are unsure when it will be released to the state although it seems possible it will eventually happen, he said.
The district also receives money from Title II and IV, Moeckel said. The board will budget as if the district will be receiving those funds, but not spend them until they know for sure, he said. No programs are connected specifically to those funds, but the district does have programs that are helped through that money, he said.
The English for speakers of other languages program, for example, is assisted by those funds. The district will continue to have those services, but will hopefully be able to backfill costs when funds are received. There has been no cancellation of programs because of these funding issues, though, he said.
