Federal Government Releases Billions in Funding to Public Schools
Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde on Monday said she is lifting a hiring freeze on central administration positions after the federal government gave billions of dollars back to public schools last week.
The Trump administration announced it would release billions of dollars in grants to schools for adult literacy, English language instruction and other programs, the Education Department said Friday.
Federal officials withheld $6 billion in funding on July 1 as part of a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House’s priorities.
Background on the Funding Freeze
The funding freeze had been challenged by several lawsuits as educators, members of Congress from both parties and others called for the administration to release the money. Congress had appropriated the funds in a bill signed this year by President Donald Trump.
“I appreciate all of the elected officials and the state officials who really voiced their concerns,” Elizalde said.
School superintendents warned they would have to eliminate academic services without the money.
Impact on Dallas Schools
In Dallas, the funding freeze would have left schools with a $22 million hole. The money covered roughly 150 staff positions.
When Elizalde discussed the situation with the Dallas Morning News editorial board earlier this month, she was measured. She said she expected to use money from the school district’s general operating budget to protect the impacted staff positions. DISD operates on a roughly $1.9 billion budget.
To save money, she instituted a brief freeze on nonessential hiring for central administration roles. That will now end.
Reaction to the Funding Release
“We will be made whole on that $22 million,” Elizalde said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
About the DMN Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Conclusion
The release of billions of dollars in funding to public schools is a significant development that will have a positive impact on education in the United States. The funding will be used to support various programs, including adult literacy and English language instruction, and will help to protect staff positions in schools. The Dallas Independent School District, in particular, will benefit from the release of $22 million in funding, which will help to fill a significant hole in the district’s budget.
FAQs
Q: Why was the funding frozen in the first place? A: The funding was frozen as part of a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House’s priorities.
Q: How much funding was released to public schools? A: Billions of dollars in grants were released to schools for adult literacy, English language instruction and other programs.
Q: What is the impact of the funding release on the Dallas Independent School District? A: The funding release will help to fill a $22 million hole in the district’s budget and will protect roughly 150 staff positions.
Q: Who supported the DMN Education Lab’s journalism initiative? A: The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from various organizations and individuals, including Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, and the University of Texas at Dallas.
