Latest news with #SpringfieldHighSchoolofScienceandTechnology
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Springfield collects $41M of $47M school funding threatened by Trump
SPRINGFIELD — As of this week, Springfield has been able to claim all but $6 million of the $47 million in COVID-era aid from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund. The city had received $41 million as of Monday, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Thursday. The new $3 million amphitheater for the Springfield High School of Science and Technology and its award-winning band will be built, Sarno said. So, too, will work continue on installation of air conditioning in at least 10 more of the city's 66 school buildings. 'We are moving forward,' Sarno said. It is money that was imperiled by new cuts ordered by President Donald Trump but was clawed back last week by a federal court ruling in New York State. Across the state, the Trump administration terminated $106 million in K-through-12 education grant funding, and nearly half of it — $47.3 million — was destined for Springfield. West Springfield was able to claim all of its $9 million in ESSER funds. That includes $354,868 in funding that the Trump administration froze. West Side schools used it to air condition its middle school and for two 14 passenger vans for sports teams and special education programs, said West Springfield Mayor William C. Reichelt. Holyoke received more than $1.3 million through ESSER and already had drawn down all but about $400,000, when the new administration stopped the program abruptly at the end of March. The school district initially had been told it had until March 2026 to claim the money. When the money was canceled, new federal administrators in the U.S. Department of Education said the COVID-19 pandemic was over. But schools were given extensions because they were delayed in spending the money — with contractors and equipment not available for school renovations and air conditioning, for example — stalling their reimbursement claims. Sixteen states, including Massachusetts, sued in federal court. On May 6, Judge Edgardo Ramos of U.S. District Court in New York ordered the Department of Education to immediately restore states' access to more than $1 billion as the case continues. 'The Trump administration's illegal decision to cut off essential education funding put some of our most vulnerable students at risk of falling behind in school,' said New York Attorney General Letitia James in a statement. 'This is a major win for our students and teachers who are counting on this funding to help them succeed.' The Education Department responded this week with yet another 'Dear Colleagues' letter, this one acknowledging Ramos' ruling and giving schools until next week, May 24, to claim the funds. Joining James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and the District of Columbia, along with the governor of Pennsylvania. 50 years after arriving in Enfield, Lego's future clicks together elsewhere After 6 years on market, MassMutual sells Enfield complex for nearly $4M Sparking interest, powering growth: Manufacturing tech show fills Big E Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Springfield Public Schools is handling the loss of $47M in federal cuts
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Public Schools has faced a major setback as they are projected to lose out on tens of millions of dollars. After the Trump administration terminated federal funding to K through 12 education in Massachusetts, panic has set in for the school district. In February, the Trump Administration had just reaffirmed that Massachusetts had until March 2026 to spend the funds. Springfield Public Schools was expected to spend $47 million by that date. 'It's a significant dollar amount at the end of the day,' said Springfield Public Schools Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Patrick Roach. Most of the money for these projects has been spent, which was $44 million out of $47 million. The money has been used to improve school air quality through HVAC installations and outdoor learning spaces. While most of the money has been spent, there is concern about how funding will be allocated for future programs. One project that is $3 million has been put on hold until they have more information on how to proceed. This project is an amphitheater that was going to go into Springfield High School of Science and Technology. 'I've been in contact with the state and they told us to continue our processes, as is. Most of our projects are just about done. So we're trying to submit our final bills and get everything submitted to the state,' said Roach. The deadline to submit final bills is April 20th. The schools also hope to see a reimbursement. 'We're hopeful that we followed all the rules that were given to us and the approvals by the federal government and the state. So we're very hopeful that we will be reimbursed for all the expenses incurred,' explained Roach. Roach assures us that Springfield Public Schools will still be able to provide quality education for its students if funding isn't replenished after 2026. 'All of this money was for one-time capital projects, so it doesn't affect staff. There are no teacher layoffs and there are no cuts to any services for our students,' said Roach. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
