The Kentucky Department of Education received notice from the U.S. Department of Education July 25 that it will release the remainder of previously withheld education funding starting next week, KDE Commissioner Robbie Fletcher confirmed in a statement to The Courier Journal.
The statement comes as reports indicate President Donald Trump’s administration plans to release more than $5 billion in funding intended for schools around the country. The soon-to-be released funding supports programs related to education for children of migrant workers, teacher training, learning the English language and academic enrichment.
“We are relieved the U.S. Department of Education made the right choice for public school students by releasing this essential funding, which ensures the continuity of high-quality instruction and vital student services,” Jefferson County Public Schools spokesperson Carolyn Callahan said in a statement. “This support allows JCPS to continue to challenge and engage each learner to grow through effective teaching and meaningful experiences within caring, supportive environments.”
It is unclear exactly how much of the released funding will flow into Kentucky.
“KDE has not received official award notices including final amounts of each award. As we receive this information, we will communicate with our district partners regarding district allocations,” Fletcher said.
Gov. Andy Beshear previously said the funding freeze left Kentucky down $96 million, including $87 million for KDE and another $9 million intended for adult literacy grants through the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
A view shows the U.S. Department of Education headquarters the day after the agency said it would cut its workforce in half.
News of the funding release is the latest development in the weeks-long saga concerning the funding.
The funds were originally supposed to be released to states July 1, but Trump administration officials froze the money June 30 so the White House’s Office of Management and Budget could review the $6.8 billion to ensure it aligned with Trump’s priorities, USA TODAY reported.
The hold-up sent schools scrambling to determine how to move forward without the money — much of which was already budgeted for or expended — just weeks ahead of the new school year. It also sparked a lawsuit filed by more than 20 states, which Beshear joined, claiming refusal to release the funding was unlawful because Congress appropriated it.
A group of Republican senators also joined the calls releasing the funding, including U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who signed a July 16 letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought asking for the funds to be unlocked.
States learned July 18 that more than $1 billion for after-school and summer-learning programs — totaling $19.7 million for Kentucky — would be released, The Courier Journal reported.
In a statement issued on X July 25, McConnell celebrated the news that the remaining money will be sent to states.
“[The U.S. Department of Education] will release pending education funding to ensure Kentucky’s school districts are ready for the upcoming school year. I want to take this opportunity to thank [U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito] for leading the effort. Local communities know best how to utilize these dollars, and Kentucky’s students and parents will benefit greatly from this decision.”
Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Trump administration to release remaining education funding to Kentucky