In a surprise move from the Trump administration, federal funding to the tune of $6.8 billion was withheld from schools across the country late last month.
Now, nearly half the states in the country have filed a complaint against what they call an illegal decision causing “irreparable harm.”
On June 30 — a day before the funds were to be released — the Department of Education alerted states that the funds were withheld in order to review the program’s alignment with the president’s priorities.
The decision to hold the funds past the mandatory release date is “contrary to law, arbitrary and capricious, and unconstitutional,” reads the complaint.
The funds support programs for K-12 students, like teaching English Language Learners and the children of migratory workers. They also support professional development for educators, critical technology in the classroom and funding community learning centers and after school programs.
Funding impact in Illinois
Of the $6.8 billion withheld, an estimated $219 million was slated to go to five Illinois programs.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the Trump administration’s move harms students and their families as well as threatens the checks and balances of the government.
“With the start of the school year only a month away for many Illinois students, the Trump administration’s illegal funding freeze is wreaking havoc on school budgets, suspending programs and causing stress and anxiety for families who depend on them,” Raoul said in a press release.
“I will continue to stand with other attorneys general against the president’s unlawful and arbitrary actions that threaten the separation of powers as well as the rule of law,” he added.
Money difficulties loom for Chicago schools
Chicago Public Schools, the largest district in the state, is working to close a $734 million budget deficit before its deadline. By law, the district must adopt a balanced budget by Aug. 29.
To address the deficit, the district laid off 432 teachers, 311 paraprofessionals, 677 special education classroom assistants, 33 security officers, and five parent workers last week, reports Chalkbeat Chicago.
Losing out on federal funding could make matters worse for the district.
New America, a nonpartisan think tank, put together a list of the top 100 districts across the county facing the largest total funding risk from the withholding of the federal funds. CPS was eighth on the list with a risk of losing nearly $15 million if the federal funds are not released.
The money was set to fund support for English learners as well as 21st-century learning centers in CPS schools.
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