With public schools opening up this month through the end of Labor Day weekend, Donald Trump, just before taking a trip to Scotland, illegally and unconstitutionally at public tax payer expense to open up a new golf course, finally released billions of Congressionally approved dollars that had been cruelly held back from public schools across the country.
Earlier in the week, funding for public school after school programs had been released.
In response to the release of funds, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, playing the MAGA line, issued a press statement that read:
“The release of federal funds (about $128 million earmarked for Arizona public schools) that were being reviewed by the Trump administration is good news and no surprise to me. When the review was announced I noted that the federal government is merely ensuring that the funds are being used appropriately and not for ideological purposes. People need to be assured that their education tax dollars are being used to advance academic goals and not social indoctrination. When the pause occurred, a lot of people panicked thinking the money would go away entirely. I said at the time that this was merely a pause for review and that is exactly what happened. The Arizona Department of Education staff will work very hard to disburse these funds as soon as possible.”
Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz, the Democrat running to succeed Horne as Superintendent commented to Blog for Arizona a:
“The damage from illegally withholding this funding has already been done. Districts have been unable to hire staff and make plans — all while the school year has already begun in many Arizona communities. Our schools deserve far better than the Trump administration and their top ally in Arizona, Tom Horne, who is all too happy to carry out these cruel and arbitrary decisions.”
Arizona’s Democratic Congressional Delegation, after sending multiple letters to the Department of Education demanding release of the funds, issued a joint statement:
Representative Yassamin Ansari offered:
“Our Arizona schools depend on federal funding for critical programs like after-school activities, student support, and teacher training. It was cruel and unconstitutional for the Trump Administration to withhold these funds in the first place, and I’m relieved that they are now releasing them. I’ll keep fighting alongside our Arizona Democratic Delegation to ensure our schools receive the resources they need.”
Representative Greg Stanton conveyed:
“After our pressure campaign, Trump blinked and finally released more than $100 million in funding his administration was withholding from Arizona classrooms. Not a moment too soon, as kids across the state head back to school. This is a big win, but it never should have been an issue in the first place. Trump continues to play games with our kids’ futures, and we’re not going to let it stand.”
Senator Mark Kelly wrote:
“After our persistent efforts, the Trump administration has finally released the critical education funds Arizona students and schools were owed. This is a win for our educators, our families, and especially our kids, who shouldn’t have to wait for the resources they need to learn and succeed. This delay should never have happened in the first place, and I will continue to work to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Senator Ruben Gallego stated:
“I’m glad the Trump Administration backed down and unfroze the Congressionally-appropriated grants it was withholding from Arizona schools, but that money should never have been frozen in the first place. The funding freeze forced schools to delay hiring and scramble to adjust just weeks before the school year starts. It created chaos for educators and uncertainty for families. I’m glad it’s over and proud to have fought to make it happen.”
Arizona Assistant House Democratic Leader Nancy Gutierrez commented to Blog for Arizona:
“I’m glad that public schools will receive the money that was already awarded to them and are no longer being held hostage by this administration. The fact that they were held at all and caused such stress on an already stressed system is shameful.
Public schools serve and educate all students and is among the most important service that our public tax dollars can fund. Any attempt to defund or hurt public schools, is detrimental to our entire country for generations to come.”
Beth Lewis, the Executive Director of Save our Schools Arizona relayed in a press statement:
“This will be a welcome relief for Arizona schools, which were thrown into chaos and uncertainty, as many districts had to put programs and staffing on hold as they began the school year. It is utterly unacceptable for the administration to play games with children’s education.”
All the leaders who commented are right.
Our schools deserve better.
What Trump and his Project 2025 MAGA apostates did was cruel and unconstitutional.
This delay should never have happened in the first place.
Defunding public school is detrimental for future generations.
It is unacceptable for the Administration to play games with children’s education.
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