Federal grant review puts NCPS funding in question

Northampton County Public Schools is awaiting details on a federal review that has put several grant awards on hold for fiscal year 2026, Superintendent Dr. Lisa L. Martin announced in a letter to families and the community. The U.S. Department of Education notified state agencies that funds for Migrant Education (Title I, Part C), Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II, Part A), English Language Acquisition (Title III), Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Title IV, Part A), 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV, Part B) and Adult Basic and Literacy Education/English Literacy/Civics Education grants will not be released until the programs have been reviewed.

In fiscal year 2025, Northampton County Public Schools received $942,378 through those federal grants. The district does not yet have an exact figure for the amount to be withheld in fiscal year 2026, pending guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Education on the scope and timeline of the review.

Dr. Martin emphasized that immediate operations will not be affected, as the district retains unspent funds from previous award cycles under the original 27-month grant award period. “We do not anticipate immediate effects,” the letter states, noting that Title I, Part A and IDEA funding, as well as Career and Technical Education (Perkins) and Title V grants for small, rural, low-income divisions, were released on schedule.

Should the withheld funds not be released soon, broader impacts could occur across Virginia school divisions, including Northampton County. To prepare, the district is reviewing its budget, analyzing programs that rely on the affected grants, and considering the use of reserves, local funding redirection or community grants to fill any short-term gaps.

No layoffs or program eliminations are planned at this time. However, the district may need to prioritize essential services, adjust after-school and supplemental programs, and review professional development budgets if the funding remains unavailable.

Northampton County Public Schools is working with the Virginia Department of Education to advocate for prompt release of the withheld funds and will continue to monitor developments closely. Families, staff and community members will receive updates as more information becomes available.

Dr. Martin closed her message by reaffirming the district’s commitment to providing necessary resources for students and staff and thanked the community for its understanding and support during this period of uncertainty.