New York congressional delegation members warned Thursday the Trump administration’s hold on education funding includes more than $400 million in-state — disrupting school planning and threatening teacher training and English language instruction.
The 19 Democrats sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the federal government budget office — first shared with the Daily News — calling for the disbursement of several grant programs to states that were expecting the funding on July 1.
“This reckless delay of over $400 million dollars, which accounts for 10% of federal K-12 funding in New York, is alarming local educators and program directors throughout the state,” read the letter, led by Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Nydia Velázquez. “It is also disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing programming for millions of students, and could result in layoffs and program cancellations.”
Last week, state education agencies were notified the feds were conducting a review of more than $6 billion in school funding, which would remain on hold until further notice. The funds were approved by Congress and extended under a continuing resolution signed by President Trump, the lawmakers said.
“Initial findings show that many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda,” read a statement from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. In New York, a spokesman charged schools were using money for English learners “to promote illegal immigrant advocacy organizations.” The News could not independently verify the allegation.
“This is an ongoing programmatic review and no decisions have been made yet,” the statement continued.
In a July 2 memo to local school districts, the New York State Education Department said schools are funded through the end of August and summer programs were unaffected by the deferral. But officials described the situation as concerning.
“The New York State Education Department is nevertheless concerned by USDOE’s delay, which was explained only with vague allusions to a ‘change in Administration…’ and ‘the President’s priorities’,” the memo continued. “We would encourage school leaders who are similarly concerned to contact their Congressional Representatives.”
The New York City Public Schools did not say how much funding they expected to receive for next school year from the frozen grant programs, or comment on the delay. Mayor Adams has largely avoided criticizing decisions by the Trump administration.
If not sent to states by September, the withheld funds could blow a massive hole in school budgets. Historically, the city school system has received at least $232 million through four of the federal funding streams currently on hold, according to an analysis of fiscal year 2024 data by the Independent Budget Office that was requested by The News.
Those grant programs focus on professional development and academic enrichment, as well as, to a lesser extent, English language instruction and after-school programming.
“In New York, I’m already hearing from educators scrambling to plan for the school year and keep these services going,” said Rep. Velázquez. “This freeze only stands to hurt the students who need our support the most.”
Presented with the analysis, a city schools spokeswoman confirmed they do not receive funding through a fifth program being withheld from states — on migrant education. The grants are geared toward families in the agricultural and dairy industry, according to the state’s Education Department website.
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