Oregon has been left waiting for tens of millions in federal K-12 education funding that was expected to be disbursed on July 1, as the Trump administration pauses payments pending a review of grant programs. This delay jeopardizes after-school, summer, and various student initiatives, potentially causing significant disruptions in schools across the state.
The U.S. Department of Education communicated in a last-minute announcement that funding would remain withheld while the programs undergo evaluation, as reported by the School Superintendents Association.
A spokesperson from the White House Office of Management and Budget stated that no decisions have been finalized due to “an ongoing programmatic review of education funding.” The spokesperson also referenced preliminary findings suggesting that many of these grant programs have been “grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda.”
In terms of financial impact, an estimated $6.2 billion in K-12 funding across five programs is currently inaccessible, according to the Learning Policy Institute, which focuses on research aimed at enhancing education policies. Oregon’s expected share of more than $73 million constitutes 16.5% of its total federal funding for K-12 education, placing it fifth among states, behind Washington, D.C., Vermont, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Governor Tina Kotek has indicated that the state may consider legal action in response to the funding hold-up. “Those are tax dollars going to D.C. that need to come back as they have for decades,” Kotek expressed during a press conference, as reported by KLCC. “They’re instilling a lot of fear in our school districts right now, and it has to stop.” The situation continues to develop, and state officials are advocating for the timely release of funds to ensure that schools can maintain their programs without interruption.
