The MDE has submitted a waiver request to extend the period of availability for some categories of Federal special education funds. This extension includes FY2019 IDEA Part B (611) and Preschool (619) funds. If approved, FY2019 funds will be available for obligation through September 30, 2021 and may be liquidated through December 8, 2021.
On Friday, May 22, 2020 LEA Special Education Directors received an email announcing that the Offices of Special Education (OSE) and Grants Management (OGM) worked to complete revisions to the FY19 IDEA Part B (611), FY19 Preschool (619) resulting in an increase in available FY2019 funds. These revisions were necessary due to repurposing of funding, closing of a school, and required adjustments for charter schools. If the waiver is approved, districts would have an additional 12 months to obligate those funds. Please remember that it is very important that each LEA’s oldest funds (FY2019) are expended first. The MDE OSE encourages LEAs to look at the current needs in areas such as assistive technology, infrastructure, distance learning, etc. as it relates to the allocability of IDEA for the support of students with disabilities.
Questions regarding the extension of the FY2019 fund availability or FY2019 revisions should be directed to Bobby Richardson at (brichardson@mdek12.org).