WARREN — The Warren City School District has received $10,066,996 in federal grant allocations for the 2025-26 school year, a $340,054 increase from the previous year, officials reported during a Tuesday school board meeting.

However, Superintendent Steve Chiaro cautioned that potential federal funding cuts could impact programs like afterschool activities in the coming year. The federal grants, delayed by two months because of federal government withholding, created temporary financial uncertainty.

“Over a million dollars in grants were withheld for nearly two months,” Chiaro said. “We had positions and people needing paychecks in June, July and August, and those funds did not drop into our accounts.”

The grants, typically received in June, were released about two weeks ago, enabling the district to proceed with planned programs.

Chiaro cited guidance from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, stating, “Our legislative liaison with ODEW told us we should expect to receive none of that money next year. I’m not being an alarmist, I’m just being realistic,” he said, while noting that may not happen.

Potential cuts of 10% to 15% could affect programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants, which fund afterschool activities.

Treasurer Karen Sciortino outlined the federal grants, including $9,192,478 in entitlement grants, such as Title funds and IDEA for special education, and $874,518 in competitive grants. A new four-year Comprehensive Literacy Development Grant, providing $361,974 annually for three years and $422,114 in the final year, totaling $1.5 million, accounts for the funding increase.

“This grant really makes up the increase you’re seeing,” Sciortino said, noting its focus on enhancing literacy programs.

Other federal grants include $200,000 for afterschool programs at Lincoln and McGuffey schools and $150,000 for Jefferson and Willard schools under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants. These support academics, social-emotional learning, recreation and STEM for grades six through eight. The $162,544 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grant funds resources for families experiencing homelessness, including a full-time housing navigator. A $29,900 School Psychology Intern grant supports an internship program. Sciortino also noted two state grants, one for early childhood education, up $119,000 because of expanded programming, and another for the internship program.

Chiaro said he was relieved at the release of delayed funds but cautioned the potential shortfall of $350,000 to $500,000 if grants like the 21st Century program are cut, which could require general fund resources or program reductions. “We’re not saying eliminate it, but if we’re facing a cut, we need to look at our programming and alignment,” he said.

In other business, Chiaro reported that 140 students remain unaccounted for in district rosters, with 60 in K-8 schools and 80 in grades 9-12. Willard school has only one absent student, while McGuffey pre-K lost 59 students to a nearby school. He attributed some shifts to families moving within Trumbull County, expecting many to return.

The superintendent noted a strong start to the school year, with student attendance above 90% and improved staff attendance. However, he acknowledged challenges from “societal unrest” in Warren, citing two incidents involving non-students on school property, including a fight resulting in three arrests at a Warren G. Harding football game on Friday. Chiaro said that schools have maintained stability despite these external pressures.

Additionally, Chiaro announced that the district’s mobile STEM lab is nearing completion, with a final inspection scheduled in Reynoldsburg to enhance STEM education district-wide.

The Warren City Board of Education will continue monitoring funding and enrollment trends, preparing for potential budget adjustments to sustain essential programs.