Edcouch Elsa ISD receive $5.4M from Title 1 funding

EDCOUCH, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — On Monday, $5.4 Million was awarded to the Edcouch-Elsa School district through Title 1 Funding.

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) hosted the announcement at the Edcouch-Elsa ISD board room. Gonzalez said these monies are especially worth celebrating because it was a tough fight to have them awarded to the district.

“I had a lot of opposition on the other side. They were trying to cut Title 1 funding, but we were able to secure $160 million to this school district and we need to be proud of it but we also need to be vigilant moving forward because this money has been available for decades now,” he said.

According to Gonzalez, the proposal to cut Title 1 funding came out of a subcommittee, and it has never before happened, since 1965.

“Places like South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley are the most impacted by these cuts,” Gonzalez said.

He said board members cannot take this funding for granted and must advocate to keep it.

ValleyCentral asked Gonzalez what would happen if we lost Title 1 funding. He replied, that if we lose the funding computers, teachers and multiple programs would be affected.

“They would have to cut costs at every single level at every single district in the Rio Grande Valley,” Gonzalez said. “It would be horribly impactful.”

He said it was not something that used to be celebrated but now that it is under attack, it is something to celebrate.

Alda Benavides, Superintendent for Edcouch-Elsa ISD said it feels great to receive funds and be able to provide more opportunities for her students.

In the past, Benavides said the district has used Title 1 funding for additional teachers, computer labs, earphones, and other resources that teachers need to be successful for their students.

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