As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 1
USDE Issues Modified CARES Act Rule
On “Equitable Services” for Private Schools
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos issued (June 25) an “interim final rule” (press release/"unofficial" full text) modifying her previous guidance that would have required the nation’s public school districts to spend a part of their Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to provide services to benefit all private school students within their boundaries.
The new U.S. Department of Education (USDE) rule instead has two main options — including one option that would require public schools to provide a share of CARES Act funding to benefit all private schools within the public school district’s boundaries.
The second option addresses public school districts that direct all of their CARES Act money only to their Title I schools, with the result that these districts would only have to provide a proportional share of their funding for the benefit of low-income private school students.
Districts with only Title I schools will have the most flexibility under the revised USDE rule.
“As Clear as Mud”
We’ve posted more detailed info about the complex USDE rule — which the National Education Association says is “as clear as mud” — at the links above.
Although the interim final rule is effective immediately, it still must undergo a 30-day comment period (ending July 31) that began with its July 1 publication in the Federal Register (here), and is subject to revisions prior to becoming final.
The TEA, at press time, had updated its CARES Act funding guidance (on this page) and scheduled webinars to explain the changes.
Texas received $1.29 billion in CARES Act funding that is subject to the USDE rule.
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To Sit Out a School Year or Two to Avoid COVID-19
TRS: You Can’t “Temporarily Retire”
There are no provisions in state law that allow a school employee to “temporarily retire,” the TRS says in a recent alert to members.
The TRS said it was responding to a report by a D/FW media outlet that teachers are considering “temporarily retiring” in order to sit out a school year or two to hopefully allow enough time for the COVID-19 conditions to be resolved, and then return to teaching.
While the law allows a retired teacher to return without restriction after a 12-month break in service, the teacher’s TRS pension amount would be fixed as of the retirement date, and any employment after retirement does not increase the annuity amount.
The TRS’ advisory comes as the deadline for Texas educators to resign without penalty from their contracts is fast approaching.
The Texas AFT recently sent a letter to the governor asking him to waive the requirement that educators have to give at least 45 days notice before the start of the upcoming first day of school for a new school year to be able to resign without penalty.
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Food Benefit Extension
Gov. Abbott announced (June 29) the deadline for Texas families to apply for one-time benefits of up to $285 per eligible child under the
The program originally had a very short (June 1 to June 30) application window.
Reports reflect that in the days leading up to the original application deadline, only 70 percent of eligible families had applied, leaving roughly $300 million in funding available.
The greatest number of eligible families who have not yet applied reside in Houston, Dallas and the Rio Grande Valley.
Media outlets reported that there have been complaints by frustrated parents over glitches in the system used to verify eligibility for the program.
The program targets children 5 to 18 years old who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits and children up to 21 years old who are certified to receive free or reduced-price meals.
The TEA has provided links for schools to use in downloading outreach materials for the program, which is administered by the state Health and Human Services Commission in cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Click here for the TEA's info page about the program.
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“Not Returning”
A Houston Chronicle report (June 25) of an analysis of surveys conducted by Houston area ISDs and charters reflected that in some districts, 50 percent or so of the parents said they won’t send their kids back to school for in-person classes next school year due to COVID-19 related concerns.
It’s not just the parents who are concerned.
Alief ISD Superintendent HD Chambers told the publication that about 52 percent of the district’s 3,401 staff members who responded to a survey said they would not feel comfortable returning to school — and 41 percent support doing only distance learning.
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Task Force Creation Urged
A coalition of 20 groups representing Texas school management, public school advocates, and business and civic associations, sent a letter (June 29) to the governor, legislative leaders and legislators asking that a task force be created in response to the COVID-19 to consider making recommendations in six key areas, such as funding, health and safety, technology access, etc.