Save Our Schools Arizona: Trump funding freeze is a 'nightmare situation'

On Monday, the Trump administration announced it would withhold roughly $6.2 billion in federal funding for schools across the country.

That leaves Arizona districts without access to about $118 million just weeks before the school year starts.

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 were being reviewed to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent "in accordance with President Trump’s priorities."

Beth Lewis is the director of Save Our Schools Arizona, a group that advocates for strong public education. She said she's wary of that claim.

“We know that the president is not prioritizing public education," Lewis said. "We know that Project 2025 called for the defunding and ultimately the dismantling of public schools and this feels like a huge shot across the bow.”

The grants support before and after school programs, resources for English language learners and migrant students, academic enrichment and professional development for educators.

“We’ve got school starting in two weeks and they are now having to look at all of the programs that they're gonna have to put on hold because of the lack of funding," Lewis said. "It’s truly a nightmare situation for public schools, especially in Arizona because we start so early.” 

The Arizona Department of Education sent out a statement saying it is "working to obtain more information and access the federal funds as soon as possible."