Kansas Gov. Kelly requests $22.6M federal education funding reinstatement

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has formally requested the reinstatement of $22.6 million in federal pandemic relief funds, which the U.S. Department of Education announced it would recoup from states, including Kansas. In her letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Kelly emphasized that the abrupt withdrawal of funds is detrimental to Kansas students and teachers who rely on these resources for educational success. The funds were previously allocated for crucial programs, including teacher training and support for early childhood educators, and have significantly contributed to improvements in state assessment scores and graduation rates. Governor Kelly highlighted that these resources are essential for ensuring that educators can adequately support students' academic needs. Her administration plans to continue covering costs related to licensure and background checks for early childhood educators until the federal funding is restored. The Kansas State Department of Education has also urged the Trump administration to allow the continued use of these funds for their intended purposes.