Fort Worth ISD leaders were examining ways<\/a> to maintain after-school initiatives if the district lost the $1.7 million in federal funds, Superintendent Karen Molinar said during a July 22 board meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do want to celebrate that part of the funding,\u201d Molinar said.<\/p>\n Molinar has made after-school programs a cornerstone<\/a> of her strategy to turnaround the district\u2019s poor academic performance.<\/p>\n The Fort Worth, Crowley and Castleberry districts received more than $5.6 million in combined after-school funding. Only districts and campuses with at least 40% of students from low-income families are eligible for the funds, according to the Texas Education Agency.<\/p>\n The Education Department released the money after 10 Republican senators<\/a> sent a letter calling for the unfreezing<\/a> of more than $6 billion targeted for schools. Federal officials delayed distributing the dollars as part of an ongoing review<\/a> of education funding.<\/p>\n \u201cWe share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds,\u201d the senators wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n More than $17 million for other needs remain delayed for Fort Worth-area districts.<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD has 88 positions tied to the federal dollars, officials said. Leaders paused<\/a> mental health, college counseling and mentoring programs.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we\u2019re not going to have this funding any longer, then we need to start thinking differently,\u201d Molinar told the school board.<\/p>\n Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or @_jacob_sanchez<\/a>.<\/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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