U.S. Department of Education to Release Previously Suspended Grant Funding

Today, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Education is set to release funding for a grant that had been on hold for review. Initially, on June 30, the department issued notices to withhold funding for various programs, including immigration education, effective instruction, English acquisition, academic enrichment, community learning centers, and adult education.

On July 18, it was communicated that the reviews for community learning centers, which include after-school programs, would be completed soon, paving the way for the release of funds. Arizona’s Superintendent emphasized that, as funding for all other programs is anticipated to be released, the Department of Education staff is committed to managing these funds efficiently.

However, in a statement made by Horn on July 18, he clarified that the pause in funding wasn’t technically a freeze. “The federal government is just studying it,” Horn mentioned, adding that no decisions had been made to stop the funding completely. The interviewer highlighted that, in the broader context, the amounts being discussed are relatively minor in terms of federal budgets.

Horn acknowledged this perspective but also pointed out that most schools still had previously allocated funds available, usable until September 2026. “If they don’t have those funds, it represents less than 1% of their budgets, so adjustments can be made.” He mentioned that about $124 million, roughly 1% of the overall funding for Arizona schools, was still under review, but this figure varies by district.

KAWC reached out to several districts to gather feedback on how these funding holds have impacted them as the new school year approaches. Dale Ponder, CFO of Crane School District, noted that a lack of timely notifications complicated their financial planning. The district expected to receive these funds by July 1 but only learned of the hold late last month. This situation forced them to reassess their budgets and explore alternative funding sources.

“We recognize the challenges but are committed to ensuring our students won’t suffer from these delays,” Ponder stated, highlighting that they still anticipate receiving around $800,000 in withheld funds, representing 1.8% of their budget. He doesn’t regard this as an insignificant amount, especially considering voters have supported additional funding in the past.

The situation was further compounded by the fact that the announcement regarding the release of community learning center funds came just before the start of the school year.

In Yuma Elementary School District, Principal Dennis Ponder expressed that the withheld funds, including the community learning center money, could account for up to 5% of the district’s overall budget. He explained the significant impact that some of these funding programs have on staffing and resource availability. “If we decide to absorb everything that’s currently funded through those grants, that represents a significant expenditure for us,” he remarked.

Lisa Jameson, the Principal of Wellton Elementary School District, shared a personal struggle with hiring due to funding delays. She stated that if the grants were released, she could finally move forward in filling essential positions. “As we gear up for the school year, we are understaffed, but we’re ready,” she noted.

Jameson also commented on the complexity of budgetary needs saying while the withheld amounts might seem small compared to overall budgets, they still pose substantial challenges when trying to meet the immediate needs of students and teachers. She pointed out examples in staff development and adapting to new teaching methods.

“Every cent counts for us,” Jameson insisted, expressing frustration over the insufficient funding of public education. She believes education should be prioritized and feels disappointed that resources are often diverted elsewhere.

Although there are challenges ahead, both Jameson and other educators express optimism as they prepare for the new school year. “We’ll make it work,” she concluded, looking forward to the upcoming year despite the uncertainties surrounding funding.