Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Greg Stanton, both Democrats from Arizona, are pressing President Donald Trump to release over $118 million in federal education funds currently being withheld from the state.
The funding is part of nearly $7 billion in grants that Congress approved before Trump took office, but his administration has frozen the money. According to federal law, those education funds were supposed to be distributed to states by July 1.
In Arizona, the delay is already creating budget crises. The Peoria Unified School District (PUSD), which starts classes on July 31, is waiting on about $2 million that has already been budgeted for the new academic year.
“This money is earmarked to support student learning and teaching directly,” said PUSD spokeswoman Danielle Airey. “We’re monitoring the situation and remain hopeful the funds will be released in time to make a meaningful impact.”
Last week, Kelly and Stanton sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, warning that the freeze could slash Arizona’s federal education budget by nearly 12%.
They called the timing “particularly serious” for Arizona schools, many of which start earlier than other states. One district begins the school year as soon as July 16, making the freeze especially disruptive.
“This freeze is putting Arizona school districts in an impossible financial situation,” the lawmakers wrote, noting that schools have already adopted annual budgets and signed contracts for the year ahead.
Mesa Public Schools stands to lose $4.2 million—funds already committed to signed agreements. More than 70% of that money is used to pay staff who directly support student learning.
The impact stretches beyond traditional classrooms. The Boys and Girls Club of Arizona could lose $1.3 million in funding, a cut that may force the organization to scale back programs, close summer camps early, or shut down some facilities entirely, according to the lawmakers’ letter.
Without immediate action from the Trump administration, Arizona’s education system faces serious disruptions just as the school year begins.
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