HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Department of Education announced Friday that over $1billion of the frozen $6 billion in federal funding for school programs will be released.
The Trump Administration announced it was investigating several school programs for “bias” before distributing more than $6 billion in grant money already appropriated by Congress and signed by President Trump earlier this year.
The announcement sparked a strong national response. A coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the administration, saying the funding freeze “is contrary to law, arbitrary and capricious, and unconstitutional.”
32 Senate Democrats and more than 100 House Democrats wrote their letters to the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Education urging officials to disperse the funds following Congress’s allocation.
The announcement regarding the release of $1.3 billion in funding came after a letter was written by 10 Senate Republicans, including Alabama’s Senator Katie Britt. In the letter, the senators detailed the need for the funding.
In a statement to News 19, Senator Britt said she is happy to see the funding released to better serve schools.
“I’m pleased to see these funds released to support after-school and summer programs. This was in direct response to a letter I joined in support for this critical funding. I appreciate President Trump and OMB Director Vought responding to our request to ensure our local communities can continue to serve students and families.”
Senator Katie Britt
The investigation of school programs is focused upon Title programs, including:
- Title I-C: Migrant Education
- Title II-A: Professional Development
- Title III-A: English learners
- Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment
- Title IV-B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers
The $1.3 billion released Friday is only dedicated to 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which are typically nonprofit organizations not directly associated with a school system.
So, what does the freeze mean for these other Title programs at school systems like Huntsville City Schools, where Title II-A and Title III-A programs are implemented?
School Board President Carlos Mathews said they have around $1.5 million for those programs, which is held in the frozen funding. He said the school district has enough money reserved to cover the costs of Title II and Title III programming if necessary, noting the importance of the two practices.
“Not everybody in the city schools speaks English as their first language, so we want to make sure that we’re able to take care of all of our student population,” Mathews said.
And when it comes to schools statewide? State Superintendent Eric Mackey said he is hopeful more funding will be released following the initial $1.3 billion to properly serve schools across Alabama.
In a statement to News 19, he said:
“We are encouraged that the U.S. Department of Education has released a portion of the previously frozen federal funding, specifically the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant funding. These dollars are vital to supporting after-school and summer learning programs that help thousands of Alabama students succeed. We remain hopeful that the rest of the funding will be forthcoming. These resources are needed so that schools across Alabama can continue providing academic support and professional development.”
Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent
It is unclear if or when the remaining $5 billion in frozen funds would be released.
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