Administrators announced Dec. 4 that the district was awarded a rural low‑income schools grant of about $158,000 and opened a planning discussion about how to use the funds.

District officials said previous uses of the grant included funding a master's‑level behavioral therapist and partially funding a kindergarten teacher to achieve class‑size reduction. Because federal grant rules prohibit supplanting — using federal money to replace existing budgeted positions — administrators said the district must use the grant to supplement, not supplant, current services.

One option presented to the board was to restore a certified K–3 'building substitute' position and fund that position through the remainder of 2025–26 and into 2026–27 if allowable. The district explained that 'building subs' are full‑time, certified staff who can be flexibly assigned across elementary buildings; restoring the position would create a home base for one building while still allowing districtwide flexibility.

Board members asked about sustainability if the federal grant were not renewed beyond 2026–27. Administrators said the position could be migrated to another grant fund (for example, existing PCCD funds already pay for related services) or the district could revisit its budget; the administration committed to provide budgetary figures if the board wishes to post and fill the position.

The board did not take final hiring action at the Dec. 4 meeting; administrators were authorized to post the position and return with cost estimates and allowable expenditure details.