The Oklahoma City school district has forfeited more than $3.5 million in federal funds for disadvantaged students by not spending the money in time.
State Department of Education officials said Friday that the district lost its unused Title I funds for the 2014 fiscal year because it didn't have a waiver required to carry the surplus forward. Title I funds pay for professional development and supplemental materials needed to improve reading and math proficiency among low-income students.
The Oklahoman reports that district officials say they had problems meeting the Education Department's budget review deadline.
Scott Randall, the district's chief financial officer, says school board members acted in the district's best interest by rejecting professional development contracts and other projects that did not result in substantial growth in student achievement.
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