By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Some federal education funds are slowly trickling to the states.
President Donald Trump’s administration stated on July 18 that it’s releasing roughly $1.3 billion to states that support after-school programs and summer programs. This $1.3 billion is a part of the $6.8 billion in education funding that were appropriated by Congress to K-12 schools throughout the 50 states and that have since been withheld past the July 1 release date.
Kentucky’s portion of that educational funding is $96 million, and the freeze has resulted in nearly $2 million being withheld from Barren County, Glasgow Independent and Caverna Independent school districts.
According to the Kentucky Lantern, the funds that will be released are intended for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, which the Education Department stated “supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.”
A senior administration official said the programmatic review for 21st Century Community Learning Centers has concluded and funds “will be released to the states,” the Kentucky Lantern stated.
“Guardrails have been put in place to ensure these funds are not used in violation of Executive Orders,” the official added.
It is not clear how much of the $1.3 billion will be allocated to Kentucky’s Department of Education. Governor Andy Beshear joined 23 other governors and attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging to release all of the funds.
“Kentucky needs the entire $96 million in federal education funding promised to our state, not just a portion. These funds were appropriated by Congress for the education of Kentuckians, and it’s my job to fight for them on behalf of our kids, our people and our future,” Beshear said in a statement July 18.
The rest of the funds that go toward educational initiatives like migrant education, English-language learning, adult education and literacy programs remain frozen.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell signed a letter advocating the fundings release along with nine other Republican Senators.
