Supporting Migrant Students in Yakima Valley
Washington state’s Yakima Valley is known for its rich agricultural output, including cherries, peaches, peppers, corn, grapes, and hops. These crops are tended by many farmworkers, whose children attend the Yakima School District. The district has implemented various support systems to ensure these students receive the necessary care and education.
A dedicated nurse ensures that students get eyeglasses and dental care. Advocates stationed in every school track attendance and academic performance. Graduation specialists at each of the district’s comprehensive high schools work closely with students and their parents to find solutions if kids start to fall behind. This comprehensive support system has led to higher graduation rates among migrant students in Yakima compared to other parts of the state.
Superintendent Trevor Greene is proud of these efforts, but the success of this program is now at risk due to the withholding of federal funds. Greene was expecting $6.8 billion in education aid to arrive on July 1, but the Trump administration’s decision to withhold the funds has caused significant concern.
Impact of Withheld Federal Funds
The decision to withhold $6.8 billion in education aid has created uncertainty for school districts across the country. A survey conducted by the School Superintendents Association found that nearly three-quarters of superintendents would have to cut academic programming, and half expect to lay off teachers and other employees if funding is not restored soon.
Many districts had already made painful cuts to ensure they started the year with a balanced budget. The timing of the funding delay has exacerbated the situation, as districts had set their budgets months ago with the expectation of receiving the federal funds. These funds are crucial for teacher training, migrant education, English learner support, and enrichment programs.
On June 30, an email from the White House Office of Management and Budget informed states that the money would not be released. On July 18, the office announced it would release $1.3 billion for afterschool programming, but the rest of the funds remain under review.
Challenges Facing School Districts
Among survey respondents, 73% said they must make final decisions about personnel and programming by August 15 or earlier. Some 85% reported having existing contracts that the missing federal funds were supposed to cover. As a result, some districts are already laying off staff, while others are spending down reserves, hoping the federal money will show up soon.
The uncertainty surrounding the release of the remaining funds has raised concerns about the future of education in many districts. Politico and the conservative Daily Signal reported that the White House plans to ask Congress to approve a rescission package that includes the withheld education funds, similar to one that clawed back $9 billion previously approved for foreign aid and public radio and television stations.
Sasha Pudelski, director of advocacy for the superintendents association, criticized the idea of rescinding the funds. She noted that many Republican Senators understand the damage it would cause to children in their districts and across the nation if the funds were pulled.
Specific Examples of Financial Strain
In Yakima, Greene is short nearly $3.8 million. He estimates he can hold out until September before starting to lay off staff. He already let go of nearly 200 employees since May 2024, deep cuts in a district that employs some 2,000 people. The May deadline to notify certified staff of any reductions in force has passed, meaning cuts will fall almost entirely on employees not covered by that contract.
In Pflugerville Independent School District near Austin, Texas, Superintendent Quintin Shepherd is missing $1.6 million that helps cover 11 positions supporting English learners. These students include the children of workers drawn to local Tesla and Samsung facilities. The positions are under contract, so the district is committed to paying them regardless of the federal funding situation.
In Harford County Public Schools north of Baltimore, Superintendent Sean Bulson had already laid off 160 people to start the school year with a balanced budget. He is particularly concerned about the loss of money for teacher training, which has been crucial for supporting less experienced educators.
Without these specialists, newer teachers who make up roughly 10% of the workforce won’t be as effective, and students will suffer, Bulson said. He is currently spending down reserves while hoping that federal funds will show up sometime this fiscal year.
Ongoing Concerns
The impact of the withheld funds extends beyond just financial strain. It affects class sizes, peripheral programs, and the overall quality of education. Superintendents across the country are facing difficult decisions as they try to navigate the uncertainty of federal funding. The situation highlights the critical role that federal aid plays in supporting education, especially for vulnerable student populations.