Alabama educators and administrators received some very welcome news this weekend with the release of $50 million in frozen federal funds for essential education programs.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Management and Budget released $21 million earmarked for afterschool and summer programs, after freezing the funds on June 30 to review their necessity, according to the Alabama Daily News.
The pause impacted several grant programs administered under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), including Title I-C for migrant student education, Title II-A for effective instruction, Title III-A for English language acquisition, and Title IV-A for student support and academic enrichment. Title II funds under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) were also reviewed.
The newly released funds support a wide range of educational services across the state, including salaries for approximately 280 teachers, State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey told ADN.
An additional $10 million in federal support for postsecondary adult education was also unfrozen.
“I am ecstatic that our stance for reasonable transparency and consistency in government has won the day,” Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey told ADN. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for maintaining the faith with our students and our schools. This is indeed great news to start the new school year!”
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), one of ten Republican senators who pressed for the release of the funds, also welcomed the decision.
“I applaud the announcement from OMB Director Vought to release the outstanding education formula funds to states,” Britt said last week. “I have long stated our local communities know how to best serve students and families. This funding will help states and school districts provide students an excellent education.”
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Nationwide, the funding freeze affected more than $7 billion in federal aid. Alabama’s share, including the $21 million previously released and the $50 million announced this weekend, exceeds $70 million.
Federal funds account for roughly 10% of the state’s overall K–12 education budget, with large portions designated for special education and support for low-income students.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
