The Trump administration has withheld $7 billion in federal money that would be going to school districts across the country. The Vermont Agency of Education said districts receive $26 million from the total. State leaders in New York say over $460 million was used last year. The money helps to fund six different federal grant titles that allow schools to run summer day programs, after-school programs, teacher development and English education for migrant students. With the freeze in effect, it’s leaving districts to make cuts and find other funding sources they would not normally seek.”It is significant money when you’re talking about running programs for kids in our community,” the executive director of Tapestry & Epic, Marie Gilmond, said. Tapestry & Epic are summer and after-school programs in the Rutland City Public School district. Currently, there are about 200 students who are involved in the K-12 programs. Gilmond said the state has stepped up to cover 57% of the cost to run the program, allowing them to continue this summer. “As we move closer to the school year and hopefully learn more. We will have to make adjustments, especially if the funding is reduced or removed,” Gilmond said. District leaders said the programs are important for their students, especially those who are lower-income. “Public Schools especially really rely on federal funds to help us be able to meet the needs of our students in the best way that we can,” Assistant Superintendent Bianca McKeen said. Vermont’s Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders said they are working and communicating with districts throughout the state to help. “Our team has been really working very closely with our districts, and we’re already seeing that they’re having to make really tough decisions around cuts now,” she said. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D NY-20) said the state received over $460 million last year in grant funding that is currently being withheld.”Not only are the Trump administration actions absurd, they’re also illegal,” she said. “These funds were approved by Congress in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations budget, which passed with bipartisan support.”School districts say there is no timeline for when they could see their grant money come back. Options are currently being explored for how they can work within their already-passed budgets.
The Trump administration has withheld $7 billion in federal money that would be going to school districts across the country.
The Vermont Agency of Education said districts receive $26 million from the total. State leaders in New York say over $460 million was used last year.
The money helps to fund six different federal grant titles that allow schools to run summer day programs, after-school programs, teacher development and English education for migrant students.
With the freeze in effect, it’s leaving districts to make cuts and find other funding sources they would not normally seek.
“It is significant money when you’re talking about running programs for kids in our community,” the executive director of Tapestry & Epic, Marie Gilmond, said.
Tapestry & Epic are summer and after-school programs in the Rutland City Public School district. Currently, there are about 200 students who are involved in the K-12 programs.
Gilmond said the state has stepped up to cover 57% of the cost to run the program, allowing them to continue this summer.
“As we move closer to the school year and hopefully learn more. We will have to make adjustments, especially if the funding is reduced or removed,” Gilmond said.
District leaders said the programs are important for their students, especially those who are lower-income.
“Public Schools especially really rely on federal funds to help us be able to meet the needs of our students in the best way that we can,” Assistant Superintendent Bianca McKeen said.
Vermont’s Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders said they are working and communicating with districts throughout the state to help.
“Our team has been really working very closely with our districts, and we’re already seeing that they’re having to make really tough decisions around cuts now,” she said.
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D NY-20) said the state received over $460 million last year in grant funding that is currently being withheld.
“Not only are the Trump administration actions absurd, they’re also illegal,” she said. “These funds were approved by Congress in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations budget, which passed with bipartisan support.”
School districts say there is no timeline for when they could see their grant money come back. Options are currently being explored for how they can work within their already-passed budgets.