Washington state schools left waiting for $137M in federal funds
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States are missing billions in federal education funding that was expected to be accessible on July 1 but has yet to be released by the Trump administration.
Why it matters: In Washington state, an estimated $137 million is being withheld, which amounts to 15.6% of the state's federal K–12 education funding, according to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The big picture: The Department of Education's funding delay has exacerbated the uncertainty for after-school, summer and other programs, leaving schools in limbo, advocates and policy experts say.
- The Education Department said in a last-minute notice that the funds would not be released while the programs were under review, according to the School Superintendents Association.
What they're saying: U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a prepared statement that education funding uncertainty has prompted districts to delay hiring and other initiatives.
- "Every day that this funding is held up is a day that school districts are forced to worry about whether they'll have to cut back on after-school programs or lay off teachers instead of worrying about how to make sure our kids can succeed," Murray said.
- Districts have "made programming and employment commitments with the assumption that they'd be receiving this funding," Washington state superintendent Chris Reykdal said in a written statement.
Zoom out: Nationwide, an estimated $6.2 billion in K–12 funds across five programs remains unavailable, according to the Learning Policy Institute, which conducts research to improve education policies.
- That includes funding for after-school and summer learning through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, money to support migratory children, educator development funds and more.
The other side: The Department of Education referred Axios' questions for this story to the Office of Management and Budget. An OMB spokesperson said no decisions have been made amid "an ongoing programmatic review of education funding."
What we're watching: If unreleased 21st Century Community Learning Center funds — the chief stream for academic enrichment outside school hours — remain blocked, up to 926 Boys and Girls Clubs could be forced to shut their doors, the organization's president and CEO, Jim Clark, said in a statement.
- That in turn could upend "care for working parents and leaving kids without critical safety nets," Clark said.