TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday joined a coalition of 17 governors in sending a letter to United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon demanding the immediate release of approximately $6.8 billion in federal education funding. Although the funds were already appropriated by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would delay distribution. This abrupt decision jeopardizes nearly $43 million for K-12 education in Kansas.
Governors from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin all signed onto the letter, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the withholding.
“The Trump administration’s shocking decision to withhold education funding directly harms students and schools in Kansas and across the country,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding is essential to support student learning, teacher training and preparation, and afterschool programs that working parents rely on, especially in rural areas. At a time when teachers should be focused on the upcoming school year, the presidential administration’s failure to release Congressionally appropriated funds undermines our shared responsibility to provide every student with a world-class education. I urge the Trump administration to reverse course on this unwarranted cut.”
The Trump administration’s failure to distribute these funds is an unprecedented cut affecting programs that support teacher recruitment and training, STEM education, academic enhancing technology and digital literacy skills, and afterschool programs. This cut could be especially difficult for rural Kansas schools that rely on the flexibility of these federal funds to meet the needs of students.
Based on state fiscal year 2025 grant awards, states were scheduled to receive the federal funding beginning July 1. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Education informed states that it would not issue the funding due to an internal review.
Schools and adult education providers across the country, including in Kansas, were counting on this funding for the upcoming school year. The Trump administration’s decision to halt releasing the funding on time is causing widespread disruption to planning and operations, potentially forcing program cuts, hiring delays, and service reductions for students most in need.
The full letter to Secretary McMahon can be found here.
