Trump administration freezes $87 million in education funding to KY schools
The U.S. Department of Education has notified states it has indefinitely paused $6 billion in federal funding that helps pay for teacher professional development, English language learners and some before- and after-school programs.
In Kentucky, the loss of those federal funds to all Kentucky school districts is about $87 million, according to state education officials.
The timing of the notification was particularly alarming.
Federal officials alerted state officials on Monday, the day before most states receive federal funding on July 1, according to National Public Radio. Moreover, many school districts have built budgets predicated on those federal funds being there when school begins later this summer.
Kentucky education officials said Wednesday they received notification from federal officials Tuesday about the pausing of those federal grants, said Jennifer Ginn, a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Education.
In Kentucky, the following grant money has been paused:
- $7.9 million for migrant education.
- $33.6 million for supporting effective instruction.
- $5.7 million for English language acquisition.
- $20.3 million for student support and academic enrichment.
- $19.4 million for 21st Century Learning Centers.
The largest part of money under review is money set aside for professional development, or money districts use to augment teacher training.
The 21st Century Learning grant — which supports after-school activities — is one of the grants under review. That federal grant money is used for before- or after school enrichment activities and many summer learning programs.
Other grant programs frozen also include money to pay for teachers and programs that teach English as a second language.
The move comes as many school districts are scrambling to find money to pay for buses, building improvements and other programs after the U.S. Department of Education notified states it was revoking outstanding COVID funding that federal officials had previously told districts they could spend.
In total, Kentucky school districts and the Kentucky Department of Education had nearly $56 million in COVID funding revoked earlier this year.
Fayette County Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins did not comment Wednesday. It’s not been announced how the pausing of those federal funds will hurt Fayette County Public Schools.
But a group representing Fayette County teachers sounded the alarm Tuesday.
“It is evident that many programs within FCPS could be significantly affected, and we are working diligently with the district to help to continue to provide the best services for our students and protect our members’ positions, wages and working environment,” Erika Pennington, Fayette County Education Association Board president, said in a statement released Tuesday night.
Fayette school board chairman Tyler Murphy said in a Facebook post Wednesday night that the “Trump Administration is attempting to ignore the people’s elected representatives in Congress by illegally withholding funding for critical programs and support services serving our students, our staff, and our families.”
“These funds are used for curriculum, technology, continuing education for staff, and to support our most vulnerable students. Schools across our Commonwealth would be impacted to the tune of $87 million, including here in Fayette County,” Murphy said.
How long will the funding be paused?
In its notification to state officials, federal education officials said it “remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” according to NPR and other media outlets that have seen the termination letter.
It’s not clear how long the federal funding will be under review and if it will be released to states and school districts.
President Donald Trump’s administration has singled out funding that supports diversity and other initiatives. His administration has also beefed-up immigration enforcement.
Two key federal funding sources that will not be eliminated is Title 1 funding, or federal dollars used in lower-income schools, and a large grant that helps pay for services for kids with disabilities, called IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 12:35 PM.
