Latest news with #BrandyBrown
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Billions in federal funding for schools on hold
WASHINGTON – School districts nationwide are in a new state of financial limbo after the U.S. Department of Education missed a key deadline to allocate billions of dollars for programs supporting underserved children. The agency hasn't released roughly $6.2 billion across five federal programs, including awards meant to help states support migrant students and English-language learning, advocates say. The money on hold represents more than a tenth of federal education funding for all states and territories, according to the Learning Policy Institute, an independent education research nonprofit. The policy change has impacted more than $400 million in education funding for schools in New York state, researchers estimated. In California, that number is over $800 million; in Texas, it's roughly $660 million. Typically, the allocations are made available to states and districts on July 1 each year. That timeline is important so that schools can budget for summer programs and the upcoming academic year. Read more: Teens face hiring chill as they hunt for summer jobs But a notice sent to congressional staff on June 30 and reviewed by USA TODAY warned lawmakers that states wouldn't be getting their funding estimates on time. The money, the notice said, is under review due to the recent change in presidential administrations, and "decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year." "The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President's priorities and the Department's statutory responsibilities," wrote Brandy Brown, a top Education Department official. Asked about the funding pause, an Education Department spokesperson referred USA TODAY to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment. School funding advocates, including Carissa Moffat Miller, the chief executive officer at the Council of Chief State School Officers, were alarmed by the delay. "These funds were approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in March," Miller said in a statement. "Schools need these funds to hire key staff and educate students this summer and in the upcoming school year." The new financial concerns for school leaders came as a coalition of states launched a legal battle to restore a separate stream of federal funding for schools. In April, the Trump administration discontinued roughly $1 billion in grants meant to bolster the number of counselors and psychologists in schools. At the time, the Education Department argued the grants violated civil rights laws by incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Grantees who had their contracts discontinued could appeal the decision. Read more: Trump administration discontinues $1 billion in school mental health grants New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, called the reversal unconstitutional and ideologically driven. "By cutting funding for these lifesaving youth mental health programs, the Department of Education is abandoning our children when they need us most,' she said in a statement. Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@ Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Billions in federal school funding on hold
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Over $72 million for Wisconsin K-12 schools in question as Trump admin withholds 'Title' funds
Over $72.6 million in federal funding for Wisconsin K-12 schools is being withheld as the result of national efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump. In total, the U.S. Department of Education is withholding roughly $6.2 billion for K-12 school districts across the U.S. while it reviews the programs responsible for allocating that money. Those funds are spread across five federal programs supporting the learning of migrant children and those learning English as a second language, as well as educator training, school technology, and after-school programs for children in high-poverty schools. Typically, those funding streams are made available to states and districts on July 1 each year. They are authorized through "Title" grant programs via the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The future of that funding is unclear. According to reporting by USA TODAY, a notice sent to congressional staff on June 30 warned lawmakers that states wouldn't get their funding estimates on time. The money, the notice said, is under review due to the change in presidential administrations, and "decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year." "The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President's priorities and the Department's statutory responsibilities," wrote Brandy Brown, a top Education Department official. In Wisconsin, there are nearly 56,000 children learning English as a second language. Those students account for 6.9% of the state's total K-12 public school population, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The DPI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. At the national level, the so-far-unallocated funds represent 14.4% of all Department of Education funding for schools, according to the Learning Policy Institute. The percentage is slightly lower for Wisconsin, at 11.5% of its total federal funding. That sum is $72,636,782 in unallocated money for Wisconsin schools across five programs: Migrant Education Program, Title 1 Part C: $526,185 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants Title II, Part A: $29,440,227 English Language Acquisition State Grants, Title III Part A: $7,856,363 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program, Title IV Part A: $17,789,110 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Title IV, Part B: $17,024,897 More: Wisconsin after-school centers would lose dedicated funding under proposed Trump budget Cleo Krejci covers K-12 education and workforce development as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@ or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump admin pauses 'Title' funds, withholding $72 million for WI
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Billions in federal funding for schools on hold
Funding frozen for programs aimed at migrant students and English-language learning, jeopardizing school budgeting for the fall. WASHINGTON – School districts nationwide are in a new state of financial limbo after the U.S. Department of Education missed a key deadline to allocate billions of dollars for programs supporting underserved children. The agency hasn't released roughly $6.2 billion across five federal programs, including awards meant to help states support migrant students and English-language learning, advocates say. The money on hold represents more than a tenth of federal education funding for all states and territories, according to the Learning Policy Institute, an independent education research nonprofit. The policy change has impacted more than $400 million in education funding for schools in New York state, researchers estimated. In California, that number is over $800 million; in Texas, it's roughly $660 million. Typically, the allocations are made available to states and districts on July 1 each year. That timeline is important so that schools can budget for summer programs and the upcoming academic year. Read more: Teens face hiring chill as they hunt for summer jobs But a notice sent to congressional staff on June 30 and reviewed by USA TODAY warned lawmakers that states wouldn't be getting their funding estimates on time. The money, the notice said, is under review due to the recent change in presidential administrations, and "decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year." "The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President's priorities and the Department's statutory responsibilities," wrote Brandy Brown, a top Education Department official. Asked about the funding pause, an Education Department spokesperson referred USA TODAY to the White House Office of Management and Budget. OMB spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment. School funding advocates, including Carissa Moffat Miller, the chief executive officer at the Council of Chief State School Officers, were alarmed by the delay. "These funds were approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in March," Miller said in a statement. "Schools need these funds to hire key staff and educate students this summer and in the upcoming school year." States sue to restore school mental health grants The new financial concerns for school leaders came as a coalition of states launched a legal battle to restore a separate stream of federal funding for schools. In April, the Trump administration discontinued roughly $1 billion in grants meant to bolster the number of counselors and psychologists in schools. At the time, the Education Department argued the grants violated civil rights laws by incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Grantees who had their contracts discontinued could appeal the decision. Read more: Trump administration discontinues $1 billion in school mental health grants New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, called the reversal unconstitutional and ideologically driven. "By cutting funding for these lifesaving youth mental health programs, the Department of Education is abandoning our children when they need us most,' she said in a statement. Zachary Schermele is an education reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@ Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thousands attend 5th annual Franklin Pride event
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Despite the stormy weather, thousands of people went to the fifth annual Franklin Pride festival Saturday to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. 'It can seem like the community is very small,' festivalgoer Brandy Brown told News 2. 'However, it's really not, and you can see the amount of people that are here today, how important it is, and how necessary that it is to continue to support it and to show the youth that there are people here who care about them, too.' Attendees said Franklin Pride provides an opportunity for them to be their authentic selves. Cloudy skies can't dim joy as thousands fill nation's capital for World Pride parade 'I came out as gay as a pastor, and it was a nightmare and it was really difficult to find my way to where I am today, and so I was like, 'Man, we got to help people in this process,' and so we're here offering our services and making sure people know that we're available,' Mike Maeshiro explained. The event on Saturday, June 7 was heavily secured by the Franklin Police Department, as well as private security, to prevent any unwelcome occurrences at the festival. Organizers said a couple of people who 'weren't aligned with Franklin Pride's mission' were asked to leave. 'I think what's really important is that we come to community events like this, and you talk to people who are not like you, and you realize that we are all connected and that kindness is the most important thing,' eventgoer Coco Rogers told News 2. PREVIOUS: Supporters send donations to Franklin Pride after sponsors drop out A few months ago, News 2 reported how the nation's political climate posed a challenge for planning this year's event. However, organizers said the community rallied together to help. 'We lost a couple of big sponsors at the beginning of the year, and the community really stepped up, and they show us that they want us to be here and that we're important to the community,' Clayton Klutts, president and organizer of Franklin Pride, said. Rain or shine, festivalgoers said Saturday's event was an overall success. ⏩ 'I think we just want to thank the community for really showing up this year. This would not be possible without all the support that we've gotten,' said organizer Spencer Lyst. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US cuts $1 billion from school mental health, including $14 million for Wake
The Trump administration is canceling $1 billion in federal school mental health grants — including $14.1 million for Wake County — on the grounds they're promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. The U.S. Department of Education notified recipients of its School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program in an April 29 letter that it's cutting off funding at the end of the year. Grant recipients were told the awards, which are being used to do things like hire more therapists and social workers, don't reflect the priorities of the Trump administration. 'The Department has determined these grantees are violating the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; conflict with the Department's policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds,' Brandy Brown, the deputy assistant secretary for K-12 education, wrote in an email to members of Congress, Chalkbeat reported. It's the latest action by the Trump administration to cancel billions of dollars in federal grants that it says promoted DEI policies and programs. The Trump administration is applying a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision against race-conscious admissions policies at UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard University to say that DEI violates federal civil rights laws. In October, the Wake County school system announced it had received a $14.1 million mental health grant over five years. Wake planned to use the money to hire 27 people, including 20 therapists, to expand mental health services into 40 more schools. Students at those schools would have been able to receive in-person counseling and teletherapy. 'Parents, educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers all recognize that supporting the mental health needs of our students has never been more important,' Wake said in an announcement on its website Friday that the grant had been canceled. 'This initiative would have expanded access to mental health services to help more students thrive in the classroom and set them on a path to productive citizenship.' Wake says it was still in the planning and preparation stage and was in the process of hiring for the new positions. 'We are actively reviewing our options provided under federal regulations,' Wake said. 'We will continue to prioritize the mental health and wellness of our students and staff and explore alternative funding opportunities to pursue this critical work.' Wake is already appealing the cancellation of another federal grant that would have provided $11.8 million to recruit and train teachers in high-needs schools. Like with the mental health grants, the Department of Education accused Wake of promoting DEI in the grant. The mental health grants had been authorized by Congress in 2022 in response to the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman killed 19 elementary school students and two teachers In awarding the grants, the Biden administration had listed as one of the priorities increasing the number of school-based mental health services providers 'who are from diverse backgrounds or communities.' As a result, Chalkbeat said, applicants tailored their grants to reflect that goal. In its grant application, Wake said it would fill the new mental health positions with 'diverse candidates.' Now the Trump administration is citing the diversity language to cancel the grants. 'Grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help,' Madi Biedermann, an Education Department spokesperson, wrote in an email to Chalkbeat. The decision to cancel the grants has drawn praise from conservative groups. 'The Department of Education has terminated $1 billion in grants that were intended to support 'school-based mental health programs,' but were being used to advance left-wing racialism and discrimination,' wrote Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist who broke the news about the cancellation on X on April 29. 'No more slush fund for activists under the guise of mental health.' But the decision to eliminate the grants has been criticized by Democratic politicians, school leaders and mental health activists. 'This is a direct attack on the safety and well-being of America's children — a repugnant act of moral vandalism that will endanger millions of lives,' Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, said in a statement Wednesday.
