Trump Administration returns $53M in education funding to Connecticut

The U.S. Department of Education has released money meant for Connecticut schools and community organizations that it previously withheld.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Top Connecticut officials claimed a major victory this week when the administration of President Donald Trump reversed its decision to withhold approximately $6 billion from schools and community organizations across the country.

This frees up around $53 million in education funding for Connecticut that had been frozen by the Trump Administration.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney Gen. William Tong expressed their opinions on the reversal in a state release Friday that described Trump’s decision to freeze the funding earlier this summer as both abrupt and unlawful.

“Although the Trump Administration has reversed its unconstitutional, unlawful, arbitrary decision to freeze over $53 million for Connecticut schools, these funds should never have been frozen in the first place,” Tong said.

The state’s top legal official added that despite the positive outcome, damage has already been done.

“While students and teachers prevailed today, this reversal does not undo all the long-term chaos, uncertainty and damage the administration has inflicted on our schools and communities,” Tong said.

The money that is being returned to Connecticut will be used for a range of programs and services.

These include instruction for migrant children and English learners; programs that promote effective classroom instruction, improve school conditions and the use of technology in the classroom; community learning centers that provide students with opportunities for academic and extracurricular enrichment; and adult education and workforce development efforts.

On July 14, Tong joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general from across the country in filing a lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction. They argued that the action violated federal funding statutes and regulations authorizing the programs and allocating funds to them.

The coalition also stated that the freeze violated federal statutes governing the federal budgeting process and the constitutional separation of powers doctrine, as well as the Presentment Clause.

On July 25, the Connecticut State Department of Education received notice from the U.S. Department of Education that beginning last Monday, the federal department would begin releasing previously impounded funds for the current federal and education fiscal year.

On July 30, the state department received Grant Award Notifications confirming that all the funds the federal department was required to make available to states on July 1 has been released.

Lamont was ecstatic about the development and what it means for students throughout the state and country.

“One of the most important things we can do as a nation is to create more opportunities for children through strong funding for K-12 education, and we are relieved those funds will now be released ahead of the upcoming school year,” Lamont said.

He added that unlike the federal government, Connecticut distributes its grants on time to give its schools predictability they can count on.

“We’re also doing our part to lift students up, reduce absenteeism through investments in the LEAP program, increasing support for special education and hope the White House will keep doing their part too,” Lamont said.

Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.

Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.

Trump Administration returns $53M in education funding to Connecticut

Tags: