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Early County School System

Everyone Committed to Student Success

Federal Programs

Federal Programs

Woman in blue and black shirt smiling

Tammy Storey

Federal Programs Director 
Family Engagement Coordinator

Phone: 229-723-4337 ext. 8203

The Federal Programs Department ensures that Early County Schools effectively utilize federal funding to support student achievement and close opportunity gaps. We manage programs such as Title I, Title II, and Title IV, which provide additional resources for instruction, professional learning, and student support services. Our goal is to ensure equity and access for all students while aligning with district priorities and state and federal guidelines.

2025-2026 Federal Programs Handbook    ECSS Report Card

Title I-Part A:  Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged:

The purpose of the Title I program is to meet the educational needs of all children in the school, particularly the needs of children who are failing or most at-risk of failing.  The goal of the program is to ensure that all children have an opportunity to obtain a high quality education and to achieve proficiency on high academic standards. 

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Title I-Part C: Education of Migratory Children

The purpose of Title I - Part C  is to provide high-quality and comprehensive educational programs for migratory children to help reduce the educational disruptions and other problems that result from repeated moves. ECSS is also part of the Migrant Education Consortium that provide direct services to ECSS migrant children.

 

Title II-Part A:  Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals

The purpose of the Title II program is to increase the academic achievement of all students by ensuring that all teachers are highly qualified to teach.  The goal of the program is to hire highly qualified teachers and reduce class size as a means of raising student achievement in the academic subjects. 


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  • June 29, 2026

    The Educational Flexibility (Ed-Flex) program is authorized under the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 and was reauthorized by section 9207 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Ed-Flex program allows the Secretary to authorize a State educational agency that serves an eligible State to waive statutory or regulatory requirements applicable to one or more of the included programs for any local educational agency (LEA), educational service agency, or school within the State.

    The U.S. Department of Education granted this authority to the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) on May 18, 2020.  This authority will remain in place through the 2026-2027 school year.

     This program permits Ed-Flex States to waive requirements of the following State-administered formula grant programs:

    • Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs (other than section 1111)
    • Title I, Part C: Education of Migratory Children
    • Title I, Part D: Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are
    • Neglected, Delinquent, or At-risk
    • Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction
    • Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment

    Early County School System is applying for the Ed-Flex waiver for Title I carryover for FY27. Public comments are welcome to be shared through this one EdFlex Waiver Feedback link or by contacting ECSS Federal Programs Director, Tammy Storey at 229-723-4337 ext 8203 or at tstorey@early.k12.ga.us.

  • Click Here for a Downloadable Version of the Following Procedures

    Click Here to Report a Suspected Case of Fraud, Waste, Abuse, or Corruption

    Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Corruption Procedures

    Purpose
    In compliance with White House Executive Order 12731, the Early County School System provides all
    employees, clients, vendors, and individuals with confidential channels to report suspicious activities. The Early
    County School System shall not tolerate fraud, waste, abuse or corruption of any kind and has an established
    system for the reporting and investigating of suspicious activities.


    Definitions
    “Fraud” means the intentional deception perpetrated by an individual or individuals, or an organization or
    organizations, either internal or external to Early County Schools that could result in a tangible or intangible
    benefit to themselves, others, or the locality or could cause detriment to others or the locality. Fraud includes a
    false representation of a matter of fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading statements, or
    by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, which deceives and is intended to deceive.
    “Waste” means the intentional or unintentional, thoughtless or careless expenditure, consumption,
    mismanagement, use or squandering of resources owned or operated by the locality to the detriment or
    potential detriment of the locality. Waste also includes incurring unnecessary costs because of inefficient or
    ineffective practices, systems, or controls.
    “Abuse” means the excessive or improper use of something, or the employment of something in a manner
    contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use; the intentional destruction, diversion, manipulation,
    misapplication, maltreatment, or misuse of resources owned or operated by the locality: or extravagant or
    excessive use so as to abuse one’s position or authority.
    “Corruption” includes dishonest proceedings, bribery, debasement, alteration, or perversion of integrity.
    Corruption threatens equal access, quantity and quality of education.


    Examples of Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Corruption (Not all-inclusive)

    • Personal use of district-owned vehicles
    • Long distance personal phone calls
    • Personal use of district owned supplies or equipment
    • Violations of system and/or state procurement policy
    • Excessive or unnecessary purchases
    • Falsification of official documents (timesheets, leave reports, travel vouchers, etc.)
    • Contract fraud
    • Serious abuse of time
    • Inappropriate expenditures
    • Embezzlement
    • Theft or misuse of school funds or property
    • Neglect of duty
    • Bribery

    Statement of Administrative Regulations:
    Any and all reports of suspicious activity and/or suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption, shall be
    investigated. The Early County School System shall not tolerate fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption of any kind,
    and any reported cases of suspected fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption will be thoroughly investigated to determine if disciplinary, financial recovery, and or criminal action should be taken.
    Confidentiality
    All reports of suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption must be handled under the strictest confidentiality.
    Only those directly involved in the investigation should be given information. Informants may remain
    anonymous but should be encouraged to cooperate with the investigators and should provide as much detail
    and evidence of alleged fraudulent acts as possible.


    Procedures and Responsibilities

    1. Anyone suspecting fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption whether it pertains to local, state, or federal programs, shall report his or her concerns to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee of the Early County Board of Education.
      1. Reporting Methods:
        1. In Person: Early County Board of Education, 40 Harold Ragan Drive, Blakely, GA, 39823.
        2. By Phone: 229-723-4337.
        3. Online Form: By completing the Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Corruption Reporting Form located on the Federal Programs Page of the Early County School System website at https://www.early.k12.ga.us/federal-programs.
        4. Any employee with the Early County Board of Education (part-time staff, full-time staff and contractors) who receives a report of suspected fraudulent activity MUST report this information within the next business day. The employee should contact the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee at (229) 723 - 4337. Employees have the responsibility to report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. All reportscan be made in confidence.
        5. The Early County Board of Education or its designees shall conduct investigations of employees, providers, contractors, or vendors against which reports of suspicious activity are made. All investigations shall be thorough and complete in nature and shall occur in a prompt manner after the report is received.
        6. If necessary, the person reporting the fraudulent activity will be contacted for additional information.
        7. ECSS will conduct an annual review of the procedure with all staff. Periodic communication through meetings should emphasize the responsibilities and channels for reporting suspected fraud, waste,abuse, or corruption.
        8. A report shall be made to the Chairman of the Early County Board of Education if fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption is suspected of or by the Superintendent.
        9. Each employee shall review the document and will sign attesting that he or she has indeed received this information and understands its contents.

    Revised August 23, 2026

  • The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides for the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth

     

    Lorie Clenney
    ECSS Director of Student Services
    ECSS Homeless Liaison
    229-723-4337
    lclenney@early.k12.ga.us

    A guide for parents, guardians, and caregivers about homeless education. 

  • About Title IX
    Title IX is a federal law that protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. Its protections extend across multiple areas of our school system’s policies and procedures. Please click on each policy below to learn more about how Title IX applies in each area.

    Policy JAA: Equal Educational Opportunities

    Policy JCAC: Sexual Harassment of Students

    Policy GAAA: Equal Opportunity Employment

    Policy GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees

    Need Assistance or Want to File a Complaint?
    For questions, concerns, or to begin the grievance process, please contact the individuals listed below.

    Title VI Coordinator: Asst. Supt. of Schools, Mr. Clifford Lovett 229-723-4337 ext. 8177
    Title IX Coordinator:  Asst. Supt. of Schools, Mr. Clifford Lovett 229-723-4337 ext. 8177
    For Student/Instructional Matters:  Asst. Supt. of Schools, Mr. Clifford Lovett 229-723-4337 ext. 8177

    Section 504 Coordinator:  Director of Exceptional Children, Mrs. Marva Smith-Mincey 229-723-2970
    ADA Coordinator:  For Employment Matters: Director of Exceptional Children, Mrs. Marva Smith-Mincey 229-723-2970