In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Education last week, Kelly and Stanton called for the immediate release of $118 million dollars for Arizona schools, arguing that districts and programs across the state are reliant on funding they expected to be released on July 1.
“The timing of this withholding is particularly serious for Arizona schools that begin the new school earlier than many schools across the country,” the Democrats wrote. “One school district in Arizona begins the term on July 16, 2025. This freeze is putting Arizona school districts in an impossible financial situation, as school districts have already adopted their annual budgets and signed contracts for the upcoming school year.”
Unless the funds are released, districts will face cuts to afterschool programs and potential staff layoffs. For example, Mesa Public Schools is losing $4.2 million in funds they allocated to pay student support staff.
The Boys and Girls Club of Arizona is also losing $1.3 million of their operating budget, which Kelly and Stanton warn could lead to early summer camp closures and the shuttering of BGCAZ facilities across the state.
The U.S. Department of Education was due to release funds on July 1 but instead says the grants are being reviewed to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in accordance with President Donald Trump’s priorities.
