Educational grant money reverting back to federal government

The Arizona Department of Education is returning $29 million to the federal government. This is because schools across our state missed the deadline to spend it.

The funding was set aside for school improvement grants that help struggling students who need more academic support.

State Superintendent Tom Horne said they warned schools about the looming deadline for using the funds. Horne also blames his predecessor, Kathy Hoffman.

Horne said a former employee hired under Hoffman’s administration did not properly allocate the money, which ultimately led to a backup of funds.

Hoffman believes Horne is trying to shift the blame as the new administration took over more than a year and a half ago.

Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association, joined Arizona Horizon to discuss.

“Unfortunately, this is the second time that the Arizona Department of Education has been limited in giving out information and being very clear,” said Garcia. “However, grants were applied for, which happens every year, and given to the state level so the Arizona Department of Education then gives it out to the schools or districts to spend.” 

Money that isn’t spent by the schools or districts must get sent back to the federal government. The money had to be spent by September 30 of last year. 

“Unfortunately, the folks that this hurts the most are the students who needed those funds,” said Garcia. 

The money was planned to hire extra staff specifically for schools that desperately needed it. While the grant was from a year and a half ago, schools are trying to figure out how to make up the lost money.

While the Department of Education was not able to spend the money, it should not affect funding in the future. 

“The federal government doesn’t really go after states for not spending their money,” said Garcia. “They’re going to want their money back, they may reallocate it, but I think that this really puts the responsibility of the superintendent to do what they were elected to do.” 

The parameters are based on standardized tests that occur at the end of the year. They’ll look to see which particular subgroups are not increasing the way everyone else is. The grants are then used to bring in additional resources and additional staff to help those students meet their goals.

The schools that were planning to use this grant had already planned to hire individuals before the money was lost. There isn’t clear communication from the department of education so it is unsure if these new hires will be able to keep their jobs.

Garcia said she feels it is unfair to blame the previous administrations, as the new one had a year and a half to meet the spending deadline. She also said this is the second time there has been a massive miscommunication from the current administration.