Molinar isn\u2019t putting away those plans yet. The superintendent discussed how Fort Worth pivoted when the money froze and what\u2019s next for the 70,000-student district during a July 29 virtual news call with the advocacy group EdTrust in Texas.<\/p>\n
Schools have not yet received the dollars, said Jonathan Feinstein, EdTrust\u2019s Texas director.<\/p>\n
Until then, Molinar plans to keep the affected Fort Worth ISD position on the ice and will not take new contracts. She intends to remain cautious going forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to be even more grateful when it\u2019s released to us and we see it,\u201d Molinar said during the call.<\/p>\n
Literacy prioritization relies on after-school programs<\/p>\n
Molinar and district administrators spent the spring and early summer ensuring literacy was embedded into its 70 community after-school programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They were excited to have that extra support because literacy is the top priority in the new school year. Then federal funding supporting the programs was frozen.<\/p>\n
Administrators pivoted to use general funds to support after-school programs, Molinar said. The stakes, she said, go beyond academics.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about enrichment. It\u2019s also about safety for our students,\u201d the superintendent said.<\/p>\n
Federal funds represent about 2% of Fort Worth ISD\u2019s annual revenue. Officials\u2019 decision to withhold a portion of that money impacted the entire school system, Molinar said.<\/p>\n
Bus schedules were adjusted because the funding freeze impacted before-school programs for middle school students, she explained as an example.<\/p>\n
Funding freeze hit as new budget started<\/p>\n
The funding freeze hit just as Fort Worth ISD\u2019s 2025-26 school year budget started July 1.<\/p>\n
The budget was built around boosting literacy achievement<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe immediately had to pivot and look at our general budget and make decisions. We cut contracts,\u201d Molinar said.<\/p>\n Impacted contracts<\/a> include those with the Tarrant To & Through Partnership, Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County and Girls Inc. of Tarrant County.<\/p>\n All impact the district\u2019s priority of improving academics, Molinar said.<\/p>\n The three-week pause of federal dollars caused real disruptions for schools, Feinstein said.<\/p>\n \u201cSchools were forced to scramble, revise budgets, staffing plans, program offerings \u2014 just as they were preparing to serve students in the new school year,\u201d he said during the call.<\/p>\n The future<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD trustees adopted a budget with a $43.6 million shortfall<\/a>. Molinar does not want to dig deeper into the hole and tap into reserves.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this time, unless it\u2019s a general fund position, everything is frozen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n School leaders should brace for more fights over federal funds, said Nathan Kriha, an EdTrust policy analyst. The programs affected by the freeze are potential cuts for future budgets, he said.<\/p>\n Molinar expects the same. Her administration is looking at future cuts to the budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n One question will guide that process, she said: \u201cHow can we still have strong partnerships that impact our students, but where do we need to find some of those funds?\u201d<\/p>\n Molinar has part of the answer, for now.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really, at this point, can\u2019t rely on that funding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or @_jacob_sanchez<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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