Ohio schools face $185 million losses in federal funding freeze

Yahoo

6 days ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio school districts are preparing for a new school year with millions less in funding.
With just one day's notice before federal education grants were set to be released, state education departments learned five crucial grant programs are frozen until they can be fully reviewed for compliance with President Donald Trump's administrative priorities. As ordered by Congress, the more than $6 billion in grants was supposed to be released on July 1.
Not a scam: Postcards seek Ohioans for jury duty
A coalition of 24 states and Washington D.C. sued Trump and the Department of Education on Monday over the grants, which provide supportive services like STEM and arts programs, afterschool organizations for economically disadvantaged students or programs for English language learners. Ohio was not a part of the lawsuit, but the federal funding freeze has paused $185 million in education funding for Ohio schools.
The funding freeze comes as Ohio's public schools prepare for less state funding, too. Columbus City Schools Treasurer Ryan Cook said the district expects to see a $14 million-$15 million shortage in state funding, compounded by a $15 million-$20 million loss from the federal funding freeze.
Columbus is the state's largest school district, and Superintendent Angela Chapman said the district will have to make some 'tough decisions' and adapt to maintain services. According to state records, the district received just under $50 million in federal grants last year, including funds from four of the five paused grants.
'We have to make sure that our classrooms have the resources that they need, our teachers are ready, our staff are ready to support our students when they return regardless of what funding sources are in or out,' Chapman said.
How Dept. of Education abolition could affect Ohio
Olentangy Schools, Ohio's fourth-largest district, received just under $730,000 in now-paused grants last year, according to the district treasurer. South Western City Schools, Ohio's fifth-largest district with 21,000 students, received roughly $11.4 million in federal funding in 2024.
South Western spokesperson Evan Debo said the district already spends less per student than the state average to save taxpayer dollars, and losing federal funds would significantly disadvantage students. Debo said the frozen grants provide support to elementary school math instruction, student support services and the district's nearly 4,000 English language learners.
The freeze is also hitting after-school programs and charter schools. The national budget cut funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers starting in 2026, and the learning center funding is one of the frozen grants. This funding is used to help groups like the Boys & Girls Club or YMCA, which now face possible cuts.
Debo and Cook said their respective districts have not heard any updates about when, or if, they will receive their grant funding. With limited time and options, CCS leadership said they have to plan and pivot where necessary.
Rep. Jim Jordan to be questioned under oath on Strauss sex abuse scandal
'Any time we lose dollars, it impacts what Dr. Chapman and her team are able to do in the classroom, where these dollars are needed and targeted most,' Cook said. 'We continue to evaluate every way possible to do more with less.'
Cook and Chapman encouraged students and families to contact lawmakers to request action on the federal funding freeze. They also encourage community members to reach out to Ohio legislators to protect a series of vetoes by Gov. Mike DeWine that Ohio House members intend to try and overturn. Chapman said these vetoes are important to not lose even more funding.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Solve the daily Crossword