Concerns Mount Over Funding Freeze
Concerns are growing over a federal funding freeze that could affect school-related programs in South Florida, with the expected loss of tens of millions of dollars this upcoming academic year. Officials, including U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, a South Florida Democrat, joined Palm Beach County School Board member Virginia Savietto and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Chief Impact Officer Pablo Tejada, on Thursday for a news conference aimed at urging federal lawmakers to release the crucial funding.
Impact on After-School Programs
Palm Beach County is estimated to lose more than $30 million for the 2025-2026 school year, including after-school care and summer programs, according to the Palm Beach County School District. The grant-funding freeze for schools comes as the Trump administration reviews how billions of dollars are spent to assess if it is in alignment with the president’s values. The funding pause could affect schools, day cares, summer camps, and other programs that provide services to low-income families.
Personal Stories
Alonza Lloyd, a 20-year-old junior at Florida International University studying to become a cardiologist, a goal that he said wouldn’t have been possible without the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, is worried that the county’s Boys & Girls Clubs are in jeopardy due to the funding freeze. “It just honestly breaks my heart because it not only affects the family, but it affects the students and young children the most as well,” Lloyd said at the news conference. Lloyd is now helping with the Boys & Girls Clubs as a nutritional assistant, providing free meals to kids.
Financial Impact
Palm Beach County school district officials this week released a breakdown of the financial impact to programs, which include:
— 21st Century (After-School): About $9.7 million.
— Professional Development: About $6.9 million.
— English-Learner Services: About $4.6 million.
— Academic Enrichment: About $4.5 million.
— Adult Education and Integrated English Literacy: About $3.7 million.
— Migrant Education: About $1.9 million.
“These funds are not extra, they are essential,” Savietto said. “This is not just a budget issue. This is a student-success issue. This is a workforce issue. This is a community stability issue.”
Call to Action
Frankel said she will be sending a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, asking questions about when the Trump administration will finish the review of funds, if the administration has conducted outreach or offered support, and why the review wasn’t started sooner. The loss of after-school care funds is especially significant because the afternoons, when schools are out but parents are still at work — or the “witching area,” as Frankel called it — are when many children are most vulnerable to getting into trouble or being in danger themselves.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel speaks about the impacts of a funding freeze outside of Conniston Middle School in West Palm Beach on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Conclusion
The funding freeze has significant implications for schools and communities, and officials are urging federal lawmakers to release the crucial funding. The loss of after-school care funds could have a devastating impact on low-income families and their children, who rely on these programs for support and services. It is essential that the federal government takes immediate action to address this issue and ensure that these vital programs continue to receive the funding they need.
FAQs
Q: What is the estimated loss of funding for Palm Beach County schools?
A: Palm Beach County is estimated to lose more than $30 million for the 2025-2026 school year.
Q: What programs will be affected by the funding freeze?
A: The funding pause could affect schools, day cares, summer camps, and other programs that provide services to low-income families.
Q: Why is the Trump administration reviewing the funding?
A: The Trump administration is reviewing how billions of dollars are spent to assess if it is in alignment with the president’s values.
Q: What is being done to address the issue?
A: Officials, including U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, are urging federal lawmakers to release the crucial funding and are sending letters to the U.S. Secretary of Education to ask questions about the review process.
