On June 30, the US Department of Education withheld $87 million of funding from the Kentucky Department of Education. The funds were due to be allocated the following day, July 1. Dr. Robbie Fletcher, Commissioner of Education for the KDE, said all 171 districts will be affected by this change.
“Given the change in administrations, the department is reviewing the fiscal year 2025 funding for the Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B grant programs and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year,” said Fletcher.
Affected programs include migrant education, English language acquisition, supporting effective instruction, and student support and academic enrichment. Staffing issues may arise in some schools as they explore staff reduction options.
Matt Ross, the associate commissioner in the office of finance and operation, said these funds are required to be given to the Kentucky Department of Education.
“First, we want to spend a minute here to talk about the source of these funds. Congress appropriated these funds in a continuing appropriations extension act, that was signed by the president, this president, on March 15 of 2025,” said Ross
Ross said the KDE doesn’t know why the administration is withholding these funds or why it’s happening how. Additionally, if a program is seen as too essential to cut, he said local or reserve funds could be used. However, districts would be gambling and may not be reimbursed.
Fletcher said the KDE is investigating all options and working closely with state and federal partners to support schools and students this coming year.