RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Some lawmakers, educators and parents say families are being placed in a tough position as the federal government continues to withhold education funding.
ABC11 reached out to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for comment. We’re waiting to hear back.
Elizabeth Kirby’s 9-year-old son was diagnosed with a learning disability, and she tried to get him help for the next school year.
Kirby said she was told it wasn’t possible because of a lack of federal funding.
“(It’s) very frustrating, because now I have to pay privately out-of-pocket to get my son the services that he needs,” she said.
The Wake County Public School System said a program that offers reading coaches is among the offerings being affected by the federal funding freeze.
“They are left to fail before they can succeed, and that is not good for any kids’ confidence,” said Kirby.
She is Joyner PTA’s treasurer and said that through fundraising, they’re trying to add more staffers at a critical time in education.
“This year, we’re — fingers crossed — going to be able to pay for an extra fourth-grade teacher for our school. Otherwise, the class sizes will be at 28,” said Kirby.
WCPSS is waiting on $8.1 million for the upcoming school year.
The Office of Management and Budget told ABC News that many of the programs “grossly misused” government funds to promote a “radical leftwing agenda.”
A couple of North Carolina congressional lawmakers sent this letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
It warns that WCPSS stands to be one of the top 100 school districts in the United States to lose the most funding if this money isn’t distributed “as Congress intended.”
“It’s flat-out wrong what they’re doing,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross, a Democrat. “This money is a lifeline, and it’s really cutting off your nose to spite your face that you are not going to take care of our children while they’re learning.”
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing for access to the money.
Summer camps and after-school programs are also at risk of losing funds.
Tracy Pittman is the Wilson Youth United Program Director and is trying to figure out how to keep the operation going without help from the federal government.
“It’s very frustrating because now you’re trying to figure out how am I paying for my bills,” she said.
The nonprofit applied for but hasn’t received grant money for the upcoming school year.
“We always say, the students are our future. The kids are our future, so you have to make an impact. You want to get quality programs and quality staff, and that takes money,” said Pittman.
The center is 30,000 square feet, and Pittman said overhead costs are significant.
“We’re talking about a $10,000 light bill every month,” she said.
The center hosts up to 175 children in its summer camp and after-school program.
“Parents still have to work. They still need a safe environment to put these kids in,” said Pittman.
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