(The Center Square) – Nearly 10 days after Michigan school leaders identified more than $24 million in school projects in jeopardy of funding cuts from the federal government, Attorney General Dana Nessel sued to get the money back.
Federal reimbursement funding was promised as part of COVID-19 aid packages, specifically the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
As previously reported by The Center Square, Linda McMahon, U.S. secretary of education, said in a letter to the state education departments that the funding is in jeopardy because of a failure to “meet the clear deadline.”
While the previous administration set the extension deadline to March 28, 2026, McMahon’s letter, dated March 28, announced the extension was immediately amended to March 28, 2025. According to the state, the Michigan Department of Education received this information after the new deadline was already past.
Nessel, along with 14 other attorneys general across the country, said rescinding an extended deadline is illegal.
“School districts across our state relied on a clear, approved timeline to complete essential projects to keep classrooms warm, ventilated, and safe for kids,” Nessel said. “Rescinding those funds at the last minute without warning or any legal basis is illegal and harms some of Michigan’s most vulnerable children. If the administration won’t stand with America’s students, I proudly will.”
Michigan school districts impacted include:
• Battle Creek Public Schools, $2.49 million.
• Benton Harbor Area Schools, $2.9 million.
• Flint City School District, $1.4 million.
• Hamtramck School District, $3.9 million.
• Pontiac School District, $3.2 million.
Bridgeport-Spaulding, Brighton, Chandler Park Academy, Lincoln Park and Woodhaven-Brownstown were also approved for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“We will continue to work with Attorney General Nessel to challenge federal actions that harm schoolchildren and violate the law,” State Superintendent Michael F. Rice said. “The U.S. Department of Education should not be able to rescind its prior approval for funds to local school districts to protect the health and safety of students and school staff.”
