Educators are becoming increasingly concerned about the billions of dollars in K-12 funding being held up by the Trump administration.
Some Arizona schools start as early as July 16, and certain programs could be on hold.
The U.S. Department of Education was due to release funds for five federal programs on July 1 but decided not to do so, saying the previously approved grants are being reviewed to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in accordance with President Trump’s priorities.
Alexis Aguirre works with English language learners in the Osborn Elementary School District. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, she said this year, her middle school students doubled their English proficiency rates.
“But this progress takes people. It takes training. It takes curriculum and when federal funding disappears, we’re not trimming excess," Aguirre said. "We’re trimming to the core of our public education system.”
Of the $6 billion dollars in frozen federal funds, Arizona is due about $118 million.
The grants support before and after school programs, resources for English language learners and migrant students, and professional development for educators.
“We’re making miracles happen on a shoestring budget," Aguirre said. "So Title III funds from the federal government have been a lifeline.”
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El Capitan, a team that has made the Arizona 1A playoffs each of the last four years, had its season cut short because of a recent measles outbreak in Mohave County, one of the largest outbreaks in the country. Throughout the season, several players contracted the virus, ultimately forcing seven game cancellations, including El Capitan’s coveted matchup with their crosstown foes. -
The Phoenix Union High School District has posted a preliminary list of more than 160 positions that could be cut next school year. -
The superintendent of the Paradise Valley Unified School District could soon be terminated. The district’s governing board began the process for dismissal Tuesday night. -
Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating Republican schools Superintendent Tom Horne over his handling of public money that flows into the state’s school voucher system, which costs around $1 billion annually. -
A member of the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board hosted a party earlier this month that was shut down by police. There were reports of underage drinking, and some state lawmakers are calling for the board member’s resignation.
