Funding Relief for After-School Programs in Arizona
Two weeks after the U.S. Department of Education withheld more than $6 billion in funding nationwide, some of that money has been released for after-school programs. This development brings a sense of relief to many school districts across the country, including Arizona.
According to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, the state was set to receive nearly $24 million in after-school funds for the current fiscal year. However, despite the release of $1.3 billion on Friday, there is still over $5 billion frozen. The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program supports more than 800,000 students in Arizona, and its impact is significant.
Denise Linsalata, Assistant Superintendent of Marana Unified School District (MUSD), highlighted the importance of the grant, which provides nearly $900,000 for eight of the district’s schools. Last year, 2,400 students participated in the district’s before- and after-school programs, with another thousand enrolled in the summer school program. The district plans to add another school next year, further expanding its reach.
“These funds significantly impact our district students and families, especially those residing in our highest poverty neighborhoods,” Linsalata said. The grant operates on a five-year funding cycle, meaning many families have come to rely on it for support. The programs offer a safe environment during non-school hours for schools where at least 40% of students are economically disadvantaged.
Jim Byrne, president of the Tucson Education Association, acknowledged the relief brought by the funding release but emphasized that not all programs have received the funding they had budgeted for. “Nothing to necessarily celebrate, but at least a relief to be like, OK, we can at least have these programs for our students and staff to participate in,” Byrne said.
Despite the recent release, Linsalata noted that MUSD has still not received its Title II or Title III funds, totaling almost $440,000 being withheld from the district alone. This delay continues to create uncertainty for schools that depend on these funds to operate effectively.
Byrne expressed frustration with the U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing review of grants for bias, calling it an unnecessary effort. “It’s like them looking for the ‘boogeyman,’” he said. He also pointed out that such freezes are not new for this administration. “A couple of years ago, CRT was happening all over the place, and they couldn’t find that because it just doesn’t exist in the way in which they’re saying it is, certainly not in K-12 schools,” Byrne added.
There is currently no clear timeline for when the remaining funding will be released. For now, schools and districts are navigating the uncertainty while relying on the recently released funds to continue their vital programs.
Key Points
- Over $6 billion in funding was initially withheld by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Nearly $24 million was set to be allocated for Arizona’s after-school programs.
- More than 800,000 students in Arizona benefit from the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.
- Marana Unified School District receives nearly $900,000 for eight of its schools.
- The funding cycle spans five years, creating long-term reliance for many families.
- Some districts, like MUSD, are still waiting for additional funds, such as Title II and Title III.
- Concerns remain about the ongoing review of grants for bias, with critics calling it an unnecessary process.
- No official timeline has been provided for the release of the remaining funds.
