(The Center Square) – Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods is calling on the federal government to release funding he says has already been approved by Congress.
The U.S. Department of Education is withholding more than $201 million in funding that would be applied to migrant education and after-school programs.
“I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible, releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump,” he said. “In Georgia, we’re getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students.”
The superintendent will call a special state education board meeting if necessary to distribute the funds, his office said. The Department of Education has not said when the funds will be released.
The Center Square was unsuccessful getting comment from the Office of Budget and Management. Inquiries to the Education Department were directed to OBM.
A report from the Learning Policy Institute shows that more than $6.2 billion in education funds are on hold. The funds were supposed to be distributed to the states and territories by July 1.
“On June 30, states were notified by ED that ‘decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year,’ with no date provided for when or if states would receive these funds,” according to the Learning Policy Institute report.
