OLYMPIA—The United States Department of Education announced Friday, July 25, that it will release the entirety of the $137 million in frozen funds to Washington state.
“This is a welcome change in direction—school districts, educators, families, and students can take a deep breath knowing vital services won’t be abruptly ended or reduced in the upcoming school year,” wrote Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal praising the Department of Education’s decision.
On June 30, a day before the congressionally approved funding was scheduled to be allocated to state education agencies, the Department of Education sent an email to all 50 states that funding was being withheld due to further review needed “in accordance with the President’s priorities…”.
Funding affected by this withholding was funding for Title I, Part C (migrant education); Title II, Part A (professional learning for educators); Title III, Part A (multilingual/English learners); and Title IV, Parts A and B (before- and after-school programs and other programs that promote supplemental learning).
The funding freeze also impacted adult education programs funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, affecting learners pursuing English proficiency or high school diplomas at community colleges, public schools, libraries, and correctional facilities. Washington’s State Board for Community and Technical Colleges estimates over $13 million in withheld funds for these programs.
“This had the potential to put several school districts in financial distress, cause educators and school staff to lose jobs that are essential to student learning and limit the core services that students typically receive and rely on to help them be successful in school,” wrote Superintendent Reykdal.
Attorney General Nick Brown on July 14 announced that his office joined a 24-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget in an effort to release the withheld funding totaling $7 billion in non-competitive formula grants between all 24 states. Also, education officials and families in all 50 states worked together to advocate for the release of the frozen funds, Reykdal stated.
“This bipartisan outcome was made possible by all states working together for something we can all get behind—high-quality and accessible public education that serves ALL students in America. Our schools, our local communities, and ultimately, the future of our nation, are made better when we make targeted investments so each and every student is supported,” wrote Reykdal.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA-02), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a more pointed response criticizing the Trump administration for delaying the release of billions of dollars in federal funding for K-12 schools and adult education.
“This administration deserves no credit for just barely averting a crisis they themselves set in motion. You don’t thank a burglar for returning your cash after you’ve spent a month figuring out if you’d have to sell your house to make up the difference,” she stated. “It’s time for President Trump, Secretary McMahon, and Russ Vought to stop playing games with students’ futures and families’ livelihoods—and end their illegal assault on our students and their schools.”
“Kids deserve to have the support they need to learn, and teachers deserve to have the resources they need to do their jobs,” Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued in a statement on Friday of the Department of Education release of $137 million in frozen funding. “That’s why I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to demand the Trump administration reverse its irresponsible and illegal decision to withhold billions of dollars from students and teachers across the country, including roughly $12 million from Northwest Washington state. Today, the Administration backed down and released the money.
“In the coming weeks, I am meeting with local school districts to hear about how budget cuts and layoffs at the Department of Education are impacting our communities. I will continue to fight for the release of other federal funding that has been irresponsibly and illegally held up.”
Author: Mario Lotmore
