Education funding release: Long Island educators react to unfreezing of federal funds
Uniondale schools Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil welcomed the news that billions of federal education funding would be released. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Long Island educators breathed a sigh of relief Friday after the federal Education Department announced that it was releasing billions of dollars that had been withheld for English language instruction, professional development for teachers and other initiatives.
On Long Island, education officials said federal funding makes up an average of 5% to 10% of local school districts’ budgets, Newsday previously reported.
"These funds are essential to ensuring the continuity of our programs, and we are pleased that we can now move forward in supporting both the professional development of our staff and the needs of our English language learners," Lawrence schools Superintendent Ann Pedersen said in a statement on Friday. The district had more than 600 English language learners enrolled in the 2023-24 school year, according to state data.
Uniondale schools Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil in a statement called the decision a "remarkable victory for all children throughout our nation and for the devoted communities that support our schools."
Darrisaw-Akil had previously said the funding loss could have impacted programs for English language learners, professional development for teachers, translation and family engagement.
"Achieved through the dedicated advocacy and cooperation of parents, educators, community leaders and elected officials, the release of these funds to school districts is a restoration of fiscal responsibility and stability," she said.
Review complete
The Education Department announced on July 1 that it was withholding more than $6 billion while the impacted programs were reviewed to ensure they aligned with White House priorities.
New York State could have lost more than $400 million, according to the Learning Policy Institute think tank.
Last week, the Education Department said it would release $1.3 billion for after-school and summer programming. Then on Friday, the department said the Office of Management and Budget had completed its review of the programs and would start sending funding to states next week.
"It's welcome news that the Department of Education in its review found that schools and state education departments were putting these investments in place in our community in a way that serves kids and communities and is compliant with the law," said Lars Clemensen, superintendent in Hampton Bays. Clemensen is also a past president of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
