Federal officials said this week that $24 million in after-school program funds that had been held up since the beginning of the fiscal year will be released, giving Arizona's education system an extension of time. However, the rest of the frozen education dollars are still in legislative limbo.
Only a small portion of the $118 million in federal education help that Arizona had planned on July 1 but has been delayed by federal review processes is represented by the funds release. The withheld funds make up almost 12% of all federal education funding going to Arizona’s education system.
Following strong political pressure from Arizona's state leadership and congressional delegation, a portion of the funding was released.
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While Representative Greg Stanton has been outspoken in his criticism of the administration's handling of the problem, ten Republican senators sent a formal letter to federal officials this week calling for the quick delivery of educational assets.
Legal action has also been prompted by the dispute; Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a group of states in a federal lawsuit opposing the funding freeze.
Through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program, which provides academic support, homework help, and extracurricular activities to thousands of Arizona kids, the released funds will be used to support after-school programming. This federal assistance is crucial to the continued existence of groups like the Valley's Boys and Girls Clubs.
While praising the news, State Superintendent Tom Horne underlined how important it is that the remaining funds be made available.
"These after-school grants offer students crucial additional help with reading, math, and homework completion," Horne said. "While this is welcome news, we still need the remainder of our federal allocation to ensure full educational services can continue."
The Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing almost $6 billion in federal education funding, which makes the Arizona predicament part of a larger national problem.
Of that amount, around $5 billion is still blocked, impacting migrant education, English language learner programs, and other student achievement programs in several states.
Advocates for education fear that if the delays continue, schools may be forced to make tough choices regarding staffing or program cuts as the new school year approaches.
Greg Stanton said the funding uncertainty as putting school administrators in "an impossible financial situation" as they attempt to make plans for the upcoming academic year.
The timing is still unknown, but state officials are cautiously optimistic that more money will be made available soon.
Arizona schools and students are still unsure of the full range of services they will be able to offer this year because federal officials have stated that the remaining education funding is still being reviewed.
