Latest news with #schooldistricts
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Which School Districts Will Be Hardest Hit By Education Department's Withholding Of Funds?
No money for you, school districts. July 1 was the day U.S. schools were supposed to receive federal grant money. Instead, states received an unsigned email from the Department of Education stating that the government would not be distributing funds for five grant programs: Title I, Part C (funding for migrant education),Title II, Part A (grants for educator development), Title III, Part A (funds for English learners), Title IV, Part A (money for student support and enrichment programs), and Title IV, Part B (funding for before- and after-school programs). That's a total of $6.2 billion dollars that districts will not receive. The money had been budgeted and the programs approved by Congress, but the Trump administration declared that 'decisions have not been made concerning submissions and awards' for the coming year. At New America, Zahava Stadler and Jordan Abbott have broken down the impact on individual districts. Their findings represent real funding concerns for districts this fall. Districts will lose an average of $220,289. Many will lose several million, and a handful will lose tens of millions. Of the top 100 districts that will lose the most, more than half are in four states-- California (20), West Virginia (15), Florida (12), and Georgia (10). High poverty districts are the biggest losers; the study concludes that high-poverty districts will lose over five times as much funding as low-poverty districts. Districts will high populations of English language learners are losing all the federal money meant to support those students. Districts with a majority enrollment of students of color are being hit with 50 percent bigger cuts than majority-white schools. The loss of funding can be computed two ways--either by total funding lost to a school district or the per-pupil funding lost. Stadler and Abbott rank the top 100 districts each way. The largest loss of funding by district includes Clark County Schools in Nevada ($21.9 million), Philadelphia schools ($21.6 million), Broward County Schools in Florida ($20.5 million), and Kanawha County School District in West Virginia ($19.3 million). Worked out by lost per-pupil dollars, the top districts include Cleveland Elementary School District of Montana ($6,000), Kester Elementary School District of Montana ($5,000), and Boles Independent School District of Texas ($2,512). Stadler and Abbott also break down the funding loss by congressional district. The greatest loss in is California's D-15, represented by Democrat Kevin Mullin ($12.2 million). The second greatest loss is in the Louisiana district of House Speaker Mike Johnson; schools in his district will lose $12.2 million. Representatives Richard Hudson, Robert Scott and Nancy Mace will all see funding losses of over $12 million in their districts. Stadler and Abbott found that school districts represented by Republicans will lose more per-pupil funding that those represented by Democrats. While the administration says it is reviewing the programs, it's budget proposal for next year makes clear where it stands. The proposed 2026 budget zeros out these five programs. In its 'skinny budget' proposal, the administration argues against several. Migrant education, the administration argues, encourages 'movement from, rather than stability and consistency in, a single location.' The program, they claim, also encourages 'ineligible non-citizens' to access higher education institutes, 'stripping resources from American students.' English language acquisition, the administration argues, 'actually deemphasizes English primacy by funding NGOs and States to encourage bilingualism.' Citing low test scores, they argue that 'States and communities need to unite—not divide—classrooms.' In the department's budget request, the academic enrichment in grant is one of several to be folded into a single state undesignated block grant, to be spent however the state chooses. The total of the block grants is less that the combined total of the separate grants. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond responded immediately to the administration's action. 'The President is completely disregarding the democratic process by impounding dollars already budgeted, rather than trying to make his case for cuts to elected representatives sent to Congress by the American people to make these decisions. In the notification we received, the Trump Administration provides no legal justification for withholding these dollars from our students," Thurmond said in a press release. 'California will continue to pursue all available legal remedies to the Trump Administration's unlawful withholding of federal funds appropriated by Congress.' States have already sued the federal government for pulling back over a billion dollars in Congressionally-approved funding for mental health services in schools, as well as suing the Trump administration for threatening to defund schools for DEI programs. The department has not responded to a request for comment.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Denver Public Schools is one of many Colorado districts to feel the impact from freeze on education grants
School districts across Colorado could lose up to $70 million in funding after the Trump administration withheld nearly $7 billion in education grants expected nationwide on July 1. File photo of a school bus in Colorado Getty Images/iStockphoto Denver Public Schools, the state's largest district, warns that a delay in these federal funds could result in significant program cuts -- particularly for vulnerable student populations, including migrant youth, English learners, and students in low-income communities. "If those funds don't get released, the impact will be felt across the district," said Chuck Carpenter, chief financial officer for Denver Public Schools. "This is completely unprecedented. It never happens -- and everyone, as parents and citizens, should be concerned, too." Carpenter said this is the first time in his five-year tenure that the district did not receive its expected federal funding on July 1. "The government's fiscal year starts the previous October -- we've been planning for this since October 2024," Carpenter said. "If there were future cuts, they would typically apply to next year's budget, not the current one." The funding in question supports teacher training, services for English learners and migrant students, and other equity-driven education programs. DPS says a $10 million shortfall now looms over the district's budget. "Schools have their staffing set. Our programs are ready to begin in August 2025. The budget is in place," Carpenter said. "To get news that these funds -- fully legal and appropriated by Congress -- are not coming? That's just not right." According to the U.S. Department of Education, the delay is due to a review of whether the grants align with President Trump's priorities -- a move that could prompt legal challenges. "There's likely to be litigation about this," Carpenter said. "If it turns out the executive branch can just say, 'We're not going to spend the money Congress appropriated,' then sometime this fall, DPS will have to make very difficult decisions to balance the budget without those funds." Statewide, nearly 37% of Colorado students are Hispanic. In Denver Public Schools, that number rises to about 50%. During the 2023-24 school year, the district welcomed more than 2,700 newcomer students. District leaders emphasize that the delay is not just a financial issue, but one of educational equity. "DPS is probably providing more multilingual services than any other district in the entire state," Carpenter said. "These are real dollars that impact real people's lives. You don't just cut $10 million out of the budget without serious consequences. It will be felt." Gov. Jared Polis spoke about the funding freeze, calling it a direct attack on Colorado students, teachers, and families. "This funding for our schools is already obligated, and it's absurd that the federal government withheld it. Investing in education and ensuring that Colorado children have the best possible future has been a top priority, and it's disappointing to see the federal government hurt students and teachers. This funding freeze is a direct attack on children, families, and Colorado educators and would take away critical resources from our schools. My administration has taken major steps in ensuring every Colorado student and educator has the best environment to learn and grow, from free, full-day kindergarten and preschool, and fully funding Colorado schools. We remain committed to protecting needed resources for Colorado schools and urge the Trump administration to reconsider this harmful freeze." Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova added a statement as well: "Unless federal funding levels are restored, Colorado is projected to lose more than $70 million in education support for the 2025-2026 school year based on current allocations for Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, and IV-B programs. These funds are essential to supporting students, educators, and communities across all 178 school districts and BOCES. Without them, schools may face significant cuts to programs and services that families and educators rely on. These programs help ensure every child-no matter where they live-has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed." School districts across the state -- and the nation -- could face similar impacts if the funds remain frozen. District leaders are urging the U.S. Department of Education to act quickly or risk long-term harm to public education systems.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
NB government reverses school budget cuts
Atlantic Watch The New Brunswick government has walked back planned budget cuts to school districts.
Washington Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Schools blame tariffs for rising costs and supply woes
School districts across the country are grappling with how to navigate President Donald Trump's tariffs, which have led to higher costs for everything from Chromebook parts to juice boxes — leaving educators worried that supply shortages may affect safety and achievement. The price hikes and uncertainty have many schools wrangling with tough questions: whether to postpone replacing laptops, how to meet federal school meal nutrition regulations with current funding and whether to cut staff in the face of rising costs.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Liberals rewrite message on education cuts after a month of criticism
Social Sharing At first, the opposition saw the story of district education budget cuts as the story of a weak cabinet minister. On May 13, Progressive Conservative MLA Bill Hogan — a former education minister — blamed his Liberal successor, Claire Johnson, for the bad news trickling out of the province's seven school districts. "At what point will the premier realize that she has a minister struggling?" Hogan asked. "At what point does the premier look inward and ask herself if she made a mistake or two in the selection of her cabinet?" Over time, as the Holt government struggled to find a coherent narrative for its decisions on the district budgets, the PC criticism has evolved. Now it's about the government as a whole. "The Art of the Deal, Premier Holt-style, goes like this," PC MLA Rob Weir said this week, referring to Donald Trump's impetuous style of decision-making. "Step one: cut funding. Step two: wait for funding cuts to cause chaos, upset and job loss. Step three: then, and only then, start talking about negotiations." WATCH | 'We thought we were being clear,' minister says of message to districts: How the Holt Liberals' message on education cuts 'evolved' 7 minutes ago Duration 2:48 The Liberals are now in retreat over their education budget, which they increased by $200 million overall, but which — thanks to the earmarking of most of the money — forced the districts to reduce spending in some areas by a total of $43 million. One district cut library workers. Another said it would have to eliminate 25 support positions for students with behavioural issues, shifting those teachers into classrooms to comply with the government's directive to concentrate resources in classrooms. Last week, Johnson said forcing district education councils to rethink their budgets was "a good exercise," but the government had gone "a little bit too fast or too far" because it was so impatient for improvements. Holt later told Brunswick News the problem stemmed from the districts being so unused to consultation and collaboration that they didn't realize the Liberals wanted to negotiate with them all along. Johnson adopted that message in the last week, saying the government and the districts "have to relearn how to work together" after six years of Progressive Conservative government. "We almost have to deal with a trauma response as we fix a relationship that has been broken," the minister said. No mention of an offer to negotiate The districts could be forgiven, however, for presuming that what they were told weeks ago was the last word. Johnson herself said on May 8 that shifting resources to classrooms was vital, and "we all agree on this. We're making it happen." She made no mention of an offer to negotiate. Letters sent to francophone school districts on April 29 laid out their budget allocations for 2025-26 and reminded them they had until July 1 to submit their spending plans — with no deficits allowed. "You will note that your budget includes a significant reduction," said the letter, written in French. "In addition to your spending plan, please provide us with the details of the reductions you need to make this adjustment." The letter included an offer to meet with the districts "so we can better understand potential issues and communicate your budget realities to central government" — but only in the fall, after the cuts would already be in effect. Johnson wouldn't comment on the older April 29 letters this week, saying she wanted to focus on "the evolution, the correction" to the government's way of communicating. "It evolved as it needed to. We thought we were being clear. Maybe it wasn't as clear as it could have been." She produced new letters on Tuesday that ask districts to submit plans to "mitigate choices that could impact the classroom and the supports our students rely on most." The letter continues: "We will consider adjusting funding in relation to the proposals you submit." And it goes on to specify that the department wants to know "which staffing and funding choices you may have made that would impact the items above." Not clear what cuts may be reversed Johnson told reporters the process could lead to the province restoring some of the $43 million, but not all of it. "We want to be convinced that it's absolutely necessary," she said. "We will land somewhere in the middle. It won't be $43 million." The districts say they are going through the process, but it's not clear what cuts may be reversed. "At this stage, it's too early to speak to the number of positions that may be impacted," said Paul MacIntosh, a spokesperson for the Anglophone West district. Ghislaine Foulem, the chair of the Francophone Northeast district agreed the initial April 29 letters didn't seem to leave any room for negotiations. "There was maybe a lack of understanding, or a misinterpretation of intentions" between the two sides, she said. "Now I think we've heard an openness to reconsider those cuts." It's 'the entire government,' PC leader says PC Opposition Leader Glen Savoie said it wasn't credible for the government to claim now that its spring budget decisions were merely an invitation to negotiation. "If that's the case, the $600 million deficit that they've put us in — we'd like to go back in that house and negotiate that down so we have a balanced budget," he said. And, he said, the issue is no longer just Claire Johnson. "It's this entire government and their approach to governing. At every turn, they make a decision, it blows up in their face, and then they try to evade responsibility for that decision," he said.
