JACKSON, MISS– Three employees from the Mississippi Department of Education were terminated following the discovery of a $19 million dollar deficit Thursday, confirmed spokesperson Pete Smith.
Smith said that the employees were upper-level management, but he could not confirm names or positions.
“We can not discuss personnel issues,” said Smith. When asked if the firings were connected to the accounting error, Smith said “that is correct.”
MDE announced Thursday that because of an over-commitment of federal funds for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) in 2015-16, new grants for the 2016-17 school year will not be issued.
The MDE has been faced with a deficit up to $19 million in 21st Century grant funds as a result of a shortfall for the 2015-16 school year, according to a statement from MDE.
The 21st Century grants provide federal funding after school programs in high-poverty areas.
Statewide, 110 after-school programs received 21st Century grants in 2015-16. The multiyear grants are renewable for up to five years, as long as funds are available. Matching funds are required by the grantee in years three, four and five as the percentage of federal funds is reduced. Programs could be awarded more than one grant.
Aberdeen School District Superintendent Mac Curlee said that last year’s $500,000 dollar grant went a long way towards establishing after school tutoring programs.
“But without that money,” said Curlee. “We can’t match that effort. We haven’t had any programs this year, so close to the beginning of the school year, but planned events so far are on hold.”
For more information on the grants and how schools will be impacted, click here.
