The Trump administration will withhold billions of
federal education dollars from states and local schools that were expected to
be available on July 1, according to notices sent to federal grantees on
Monday. It’s a move with the potential to imperil afterschool programs,
teacher training initiatives and education for migrant students. Some education
advocacy groups estimate that approximately $5 billion is at stake.
According to the notice delivered to federal grantees,
the contents of which were described to POLITICO on condition of anonymity by
officials familiar with the matter, the administration is still reviewing
fiscal 2025 grant funding for the affected programs. It has not yet made
decisions about awards for the upcoming academic year and will not obligate
their funds on Tuesday before that review is complete.
“The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer
resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the
Department’s statutory responsibilities,” the agency said in written
communications to states about its plans.
It’s unclear how long the spending review might last or
when the federal funds might be distributed. But the delay could leave states
and schools facing immediate pressure to find ways to keep education programs
running and balance their budgets for the coming academic year.
The Education Department referred questions to the Office
of Management and Budget. The White House did not comment for this report. A
Trump administration official on Tuesday said the funding was part of a
programmatic review and that it was incorrect to characterize the
administration’s move as a “freeze.”
Officials said the affected funds include money for
state teacher training grants; summer and after-school programs funded under
the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program; the Student Support and
Academic Enrichment grant program; and funds for migrant education programs
plus students who speak limited English.
The impact of the decision will be felt across
multiple jurisdictions. The funds being withheld from the affected programs
represent at least 10 percent of the federal K-12 education spending in 33
states and territories, according to estimates published Monday by the Learning
Policy Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit think tank.
The administration has telegraphed the possibility that
it would not distribute the funds by July 1 for months in spending plans
submitted to Congress and testimony to lawmakers, raising worries and growing
criticism among school advocacy organizations and congressional appropriators
about the potential fiscal impact on school systems.
“The administration must make the full extent of title
funding available in a timely manner,” said Carissa Moffat Miller, head of the
Council of Chief State School Officers, in a statement to POLITICO. “These
funds were approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in
March. Schools need these funds to hire key staff and educate students this
summer and in the upcoming school year.”
OMB director Russell Vought suggested to Senate
appropriators last week that the congressionally approved funding could be the
target of a future rescissions package. President Donald Trump and Education
Secretary Linda McMahon have also proposed cutting off some of the affected
programs in their budget pitch for the coming year.
Vought has discussed using a controversial
tactic known as a “pocket rescission” to defy Congress’ funding directives. To
do that, the Trump administration would have to send additional budget
rescission requests to Congress in the final weeks of the fiscal year, which
runs through September.
Earlier this month, OMB directed several agencies to
freeze upwards of $30 billion in spending on a broad array of programs, POLITICO’s
E&E News reported. Even if lawmakers vote to approve or reject the
requests, the White House could let the funding expire by withholding it
through Sept. 30.
“School districts rely on these critical funds to
comply with federal law,” Tara Thomas, the government affairs manager for AASA,
The School Superintendents Association, said in a statement. “Withholding these
resources simply pushes more unfunded mandates on schools — placing additional
strain on already limited budgets — and the consequences will be felt by all
students and across all classrooms,” Thomas said.
Juan Perez, Jr. and Rebecca Carballo
-Politico
