Federal Education Funding Cut Risks $42M for Michigan Schools

The U.S. Department of Education, under Secretary Linda McMahon, has abruptly changed the reimbursement deadline for pandemic relief funds, impacting Michigan schools that stand to lose nearly $42 million. This decision has forced 27 school districts, including Flint, to face significant financial consequences, as they had already entered contracts for essential health and safety upgrades. State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice condemned the move as unacceptable and urged Michigan's congressional delegation to advocate for a reversal of the decision. The new deadline, retroactively set to March 28, 2025, undermines previous commitments made under the American Rescue Plan and other COVID-related funding acts. Similar repercussions are being felt in Maryland, where an estimated $418 million in funding is also being rescinded, jeopardizing ongoing educational projects. Both states are grappling with the fallout from these last-minute federal actions, which threaten to disrupt educational services and infrastructure improvements.