Local schools celebrate return of critical federal funding

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Schools countywide are celebrating the Trump administration’s release of millions in federal education funds that were previously frozen.

Back in June, the U.S. Department of Education froze nearly $7 billion dollars, $900 million of which was slated for California.

“We know so many working families really depend on, you know high, quality after-school programs where their kids can stay at school throughout the workday. Those would’ve been cut," said Richard Barrera, vice president of the San Diego Unified School Board of Education.

SDUSD is avoiding disruptions from the recent federal funding freeze that appears to be thawing out. Barrera said the district stood to lose $13 million. 

“Many school districts really had to scramble because the money was supposed to be released at the beginning of the summer and it wasn’t," Barrera explained.

The money supports after-school programs, teacher training, and services for English language learners and migrant students.

As a second-grade bilingual teacher and Fallbrook Union High School District Board president, Oscar Caralampio attributes his success to some of these programs.

“I had teachers who didn't share my cultural background or my economical background growing up, but they still reached out regardless of our differences. They reached out and they saw potential in me," said Caralampio.

He added that the possibility of not receiving the more than half a million dollars could’ve potentially impacted all the district's roughly 2,000 students.

“You're talking about on opportunity for students to take the practice SAT at a high school and that is huge. If you can’t offer that for our kids, it's going to impact their ability to perform better," said Caralampio.

A spokesperson for Poway Unified School District said the fiscal impact to that school district is over $1 million and noted they did not have plans to discontinue programs in the 2025-2026 school year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Education is still withholding funds after releasing a portion in July while reviewing their use.

The rest will be released at the beginning of October as a result of a lawsuit against the Trump administration by a coalition of states, including California and Washington D.C.