MIAMI – South Florida public schools were preparing for the consequences of the U.S. Education Department’s hold on more than $6 billion from six federal grant programs nationwide.
The Education Department announced on Monday that the grants, which Congress appropriated, were not going to be disbursed on Tuesday and attributed the decision to an ongoing review.
Steve Gallon III, the Miami-Dade County School Board member who represents District 1 and has a doctorate in educational administration and supervision, said this will impact much-needed programs.
“We don’t understand what under review means, but we have anticipated the narrative, but we could not have anticipated a $45 million haircut in July,” Gallon said about Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
The grants in limbo fund programs such as teachers’ development, summer and after-school services, academic enrichment, English, education for children of migrant workers; and adult literacy.
“When you are talking about students who are English language learners, those students are in almost every school,” Gallon said.
Antonio White, the president of United Teachers of Dade, a union that represents M-DCPS employees, released a statement saying working-class Americans stand to suffer “devastating” consequences.
“School districts are canceling programs that have been successful in recruiting and retaining high-quality educators,” White wrote.
John J. Sullivan, the chief of staff and communications at Broward County Public Schools, also released a statement on Wednesday saying the freeze “will have significant implications.”
It’s unclear how many jobs at M-DCPS and BCPS are at risk because of the lack of funding.
“We are analyzing the full extent of this impact and will continue working closely with our federal lawmakers to restore these funds as quickly as possible,” Sullivan wrote about the impact on BCPS programs.
Linda E. McMahon, the U.S. secretary of education, has been dismantling the very department she leads.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing McMahon to close the agency “to the maximum extent appropriate.” It cannot be closed without congressional approval.
In April, McMahon also threatened schools with losing Title I funding if diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, programs continued.