Federal school funds have been delayed

The Trump Administration has declined to release nearly $7 billion in federal funding that helps pay for after-school and summer programs, support for students learning English, teacher training and other services. The money was expected to be released on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, however, in an email on July 1, the Education Department notified state education agencies that the money would not be available. The Trump Administration offered little explanation, only saying the funds were under review.

Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the implications of the federal funding cuts for school programs moving forward.

Garcia first shared her thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump Administration to fire more than 1,000 workers at the Education Department.

“I mean, it’s shocking because the department was initiated by Congress. And I’m a civics teacher so I understand the three branches of government, and the fact that Congress opened up this department, has funded this department and schools are very dependent on funding going through the department of education. Getting rid of staffers is going to slow down those funds getting to schools, and so we will have a very turbulent next couple of weeks,” Garcia said.

Regarding the freeze on the almost $118 million in funds Arizona is slotted to receive, Garcia discussed the reason or the lack thereof for these freezes.

“We have no reason; we were told it was temporary. However, schools in Arizona start very early. We have students showing up in two days in some school districts. So all of this money is intended for personnel and programs, and so districts are left very much unsure of what they are going to be able to do,” Garcia said.

The funding freeze would affect different programs that have been created to ensure students are able to reach their goals.

“Post Brown v. Board, we knew students living in poverty were struggling, and these programs were set up to support students in poverty, kids that are learning second languages or kids that just come in and need extra support,” Garcia said.

To prepare for the possibility of not receiving this funding, districts have begun discussions of what and who they need to cut to stay afloat. Teachers have also begun to consider what they need to do to continue to ensure the success of their students.

“We can count on one thing: Public school educators are going to do everything they can for their kids. It’s kind of what we do, and so I’ve already heard of educators starting to figure out ways that they can change their schedules to be there earlier and stay later without pay to make sure their kids meet their goals,” Garcia said.