31a Transparency

What was the total amount of the district’s Section 31a allocation for the 2025-26 school year?

• approximately $2 million

Describe the district’s methodology and decision-making for distributing Section 31a At-risk grant funds to target the buildings with the highest needs.

• Each building conducts a needs assessment through our district MICIP (Michigan Continuous Improvement Process). Strategies and activities in our MICIP plans are established to address identified needs. Those that require investment of funds are recommended to the District’s State/Federal Program Coordinator who is currently the superintendent.  Equitable distribution of funds is a filter for decision making, taking into consideration all general and grant funding that is braided to address student needs. 

What evidence-based interventions and services were implemented with the Section 31a At-risk grant funds during the 2025-26 grant cycle?

The 2025-26 31a At-Risk Program funding is deployed across a variety of interconnected, district-wide and building-specific academic and student support strategies. 

The primary operational and intervention strategies funded through this program include:

• Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) & Coaching

  • A significant portion of the budget funds MTSS and instructional coaching to improve baseline instruction and targeted interventions. 

  • MTSS Coordinators and Specialists: Personnel are embedded across multiple levels, including Lower Elementary (LE), Upper Elementary (UE), and Middle School (MS), to streamline Tier 1 services and student support structures. 

• Instructional and Literacy Coaches 

  • Funding supports high school instructional coaches (such as for Lead Worthy courses and fixed schedules) and an Upper Elementary Literacy Coach contracted through the MAISD to elevate teaching practices. 

• Targeted Academic Interventions

  • Direct academic interventions focus heavily on foundational learning missing during the traditional school year. 

• Subject-Specific Interventionists: 

  • The Middle School utilizes targeted funding for specialized English Language Arts (ELA) and Math interventionists. 

• Summer School Programs: 

  • High School resources are dedicated to funding summer school teachers who provide extended learning time. 

• English Learner (EL) Support: 

  • Funding is partially split with the general fund (24% covered by 31a) to secure dedicated English Learner instruction across all building levels (LE, UE, MS, HS). 

• Holistic Student Support Services

  • Recognizing that academic success is tied to mental health and behavioral stability, the fund backs non-academic intervention specialists. 

• Behavior Coaches

  • Dedicated Behavior Coaches/Student Support Services personnel are deployed in Lower Elementary settings to assist with early behavioral intervention. 

• Social Work: 

  • Social Workers are fully funded (100% 31a) across the High School, Middle School, Upper Elementary, and Lower Elementary buildings, alongside provisions for social work supplies. 

• Healthcare Support: 

  • Budget items are designated for specialized healthcare services under "Hackley Care" at the elementary levels. 

• Chronic Absenteeism & District-Wide Initiatives

  • The district implements broader infrastructural and cultural programs to keep students engaged and present. 

• "Show Up" Attendance Campaigns: 

  • Targeted funding provides supplies across every tier (LE, UE, MS, HS) specifically aimed at curbing chronic absenteeism through MTSS proposals. 

• Professional Development: 

  • The district funds continuous improvement for teachers, including specialized "Math Expressions" training and other workshops or conferences. 

• Nutrition Programs: 

  • The program allocates required district-level funds to support student breakfast programs. 

In what ways has the district collected feedback from parents or legal guardians on these interventions and services provided this year?

• The district publicly posts this report on our website at www.oakridgeschools.org/31a-Transparency with phone and email contact information of the district State/Federal Program Coordinator for questions and feedback (see below).

Describe the method parents or legal guardians may use to provide feedback on the use of these funds.

• The method for parent feedback is to connect with the State/Federal Program Coordinator via direct email or phone call (see below).
• We use a parent communication app called Bloomz to notify parents about the 31a website transparency report.

For more information or questions

• About Section 31a interventions and services available for your child(ren), to provide feedback, or for additional questions regarding the Section 31a At-risk grant contact: Tom Livezey, Superintendent at 231.788.7100 or tlivezey@oakridgeschools.org