HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The U.S. Department of Education announced on Friday afternoon that it will distribute the remaining billions in grant money that had been held back for evaluation.
On June 30, the department informed school districts in a statement that the $6.8 billion in grant money would not be distributed because the department is “reviewing the FY 2025 funding for the [Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B] grant program(s).”
As per school administrators, the grant money supports a wide range of initiatives, including after-school activities, teacher training, mental health services, and other similar efforts.
Last week, the department announced its plan to distribute $1.3 billion for after-school and summer activities.
School boards throughout Florida were informed about the remaining funds to be distributed via an email from the Florida School Boards Association, which was obtained by News Channel 8:
Board Members:
The U.S. Department of Education has stated that the administration has finished reviewing the remaining federally supported programs and will start distributing the funds to the states next week. The released funding includes:
- Title I-Part C (Migrant Education State Grants)
- Title II-Part A (State Grants for Effective Instruction)
- Title III-Part A (Grants for English Language Acquisition)
- Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
The Title IV-Part B (21st Century Community Learning Centers/Out-of-School Time Grants) was distributed to the states on July 18.
We appreciate everyone who contacted their representatives in Congress. Several of you shared that officials from all political parties had asked for these funds, which they had already approved, to be distributed.
We trust you find this data useful.
Florida School Boards Association
“We will proceed with the tasks we had originally planned, striving to enhance quality in these different areas impacted by these funds,” said Laura Hine, Chair of the Pinellas County School Board.
$9 million in grant money was held backfrom the Pinellas County School District, affecting mental health, teacher training, initiatives for middle school students, and other areas.
Our schools transitioned from 80% A’s and B’s to 90% A’s and B’s, and we believe the professional growth of our teachers is a key factor,” Hine stated. “We often lose students during middle school. Adolescence is a critical period. However, with our commitment to this effort, we now have 90% of our middle schools rated as A or B schools.
Hine expressed her appreciation to the school community, as well as organizations like the Juvenile Welfare Board and the Education Foundation, for offering support and addressing possible shortfalls that would have remained unmet without the grant money.
On Thursday evening, administrators from Pinellas County schools organized a public meeting to discuss the funding freeze with local residents.
Over 300 individuals participated in person. We are aware that more than 3,600 people watched online. The enthusiasm for our schools is significant,” Hine stated. “It’s impressive to witness the community from every part of the area coming together to support their schools, including local elected officials, and the bipartisan backing for school funding has been truly remarkable and positive.
Pinellas County school board officials also mentioned last week that they plan to send letters to the U.S. Department of Education and the state education department, along with members of Congress and local representatives.
“I’ve received input from all three, Senator Hooper, Senator Rouson, and Senator DiCeglie — once again, there’s bipartisan backing across Pinellas County, along with Representatives Luna and Castor, who both sent letters and voiced their support for releasing these funds, and we truly value their assistance,” Hine stated.
Superintendent Fred Heid of Polk County Public Schools also commented on the announcement regarding the release of funding.after disclosing last week over $20 millionthe district’s grant funding was in jeopardy.
We are delighted to learn that this federal funding is now available. This financial support is essential for students across our district. We are truly grateful for the chance to keep up our impactful work that this federal funding enables.
Fred Heid, Director, Polk County Public Schools
Some school districts are waiting for formal confirmation regarding the release of funds, as Hillsborough County Public Schools informed News Channel 8 in a statement:
We will await the official announcement regarding the status of the federal education grant funds.
Debra Bellanti, Director of Media and Public Relations, Hillsborough County Public Schools
Bellanti provided the financial figures that the school district is anticipated to receive for each of the title grants, which collectively exceed $24 million.
Pasco County Council PTA of Florida PTA (Parent Teachers’ Association) President Erin Kelley mentioned that Pasco County Schools anticipates receiving $6.3 million and noted that she is also waiting for the official announcement.
“Will the government provide the full amount we anticipate? We aren’t certain. Will there be any extra conditions imposed on our school boards or states to access the funds? We won’t know for sure until the money arrives,” Kelley stated.
Parents who talked to News Channel 8 on Friday evening expressed their worries regarding openness and described the federal department’s actions as excessive.
What troubled me is, you know, I have a daughter who starts the public school system in two weeks, and she’s just starting her public education,” said Whitney Fox, a mother of two from Pinellas County. “I’m worried, what if this happens again? What if the funds aren’t released? I believe this isn’t the first time we’ll witness an attack on the public education system.
This is an ongoing situation, stay tuned to News Channel 8 for the latest information.
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