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NJ sues as latest cuts by Trump hit schools

Congress had passed funding for programs

By: Mary Ann Koruth
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... State Attorney General Matthew Platkin is suing to block the Trump administration's most recent cuts to federal K-12 funding - a move that local officials say will have a devastating in middle- and low-income school districts throughout New Jersey and the nation.
..... The funding, already approved y Congress, includes money that school districts and wraparound service providers have received for two decades as part of traditional formula grans. New Jersey stands to lose 4140 million in total,, state Education Department spokesperson Michael Yaple said.
..... Much of the Affected programming was scheduled to start September 1 [2025] in the new school year.
..... "Freezing an estimated more than $140 million in federal funding for New Jersey puts at risk critical resources for students," Yaple said. this is a "departure form longstanding federal funding practices."
..... The funding freeze is "reckless" and "illegal" because it violates federal laws, the Administrative Procedures Act the U.S. constitution and the separation of powers doctrine, says the lawsuit, filed by New Jersey and 24 other states, including neighboring Pennsylvania and New York.
..... It ask the courts to declare the freeze unlawful and to immediately block the administration's move. Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter to the Trump administration asking for the funds to be reinstated.
..... The funding cuts affect all districts and amount to a claw-back of already guaranteed federal funds that districts planned for when drawing up their local budgets, said Janina Kusielewicz, assistant superintendent at Clifton Public Schools.
..... Clifton for instance, stands to lose $1.4 million in K-12 funding. Many programs are also funded by local dollars and will remain in place, she said, but federal grants cover circularity aspects.
..... "It's not going to eliminate these services for us, because we do have a local stake in all of them, but it will affect critical enhancement we provide,: Kusielwicz said.
..... The types of grant money affected include Title II-A funds that cover professional development for teachers, Title III-A for school tutoring and summer support programs for English language learners, and title IV, which has multiple purposes, such as covering the cost of an additional counselor and behaviorist for students, Kusielewicz said.
..... The funds also support the district's dual enrollment and college readiness programming in the high school, including Advance Placement courses.
..... One tranche of funding cuts is Title II-A awards for "supporting effective instruction." Paramus received $69,784 in the Title II-A money for the 2024-2025 academic year for instance.
..... Ridgewood received 464,882, Westwood Regional received $48,816, Clifton received $389,478 and Wayne got $128,112.

Cuts will hurt summer and after-school programs

..... Cuts will also be devastating to New Jersey recipients of the Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, said Ebony Grace, CEO of he New Jersey After-school and Out-of-School time Professional Network.
..... New Jersey stands to lose over $30 million in 21st CCLC funds, the grant supports 67 s1st CCLC grantees that provide wraparound after-school and out-of-school support to 34 school districts, four charter schools, four local colleges and 29 community-based organizations, including eight Boys & Girls clubs and three YMCAs, Grace said.
..... These funds were fully approved by Congress and signed into law by the president in March. [2025]
..... They were due to be released to states on July 1 [2025] to support summer programs happening now and to help programs prepare for the 2025-2026 school year," she said.
..... "If the funding delay continues, some programs may be forced to cut services or shut down completely p harming students, families and the workforce that depend on these grants to do their jobs," Grace said.
..... Programs could be cut in Passaic Arts and Science Charter School, the Passaic city school district, and Boys and Girls Clubs in Garfield, Paterson and Passaic as a result, Grace said.

Paterson could lose tutoring and enrichment funds

..... 200 children in Paterson Public Schools "could lose safe space, tutoring and enrichment activities after school," said Rosie Grant, who runs the nonprofit Paterson Education Fund.
..... "We are only one of several programs in Paterson that will close without these funds. where will our children go?"
..... Kusielewicz noted that the additional support provided by federal funds helps keep local property taxes in check.
..... "It's very difficult for a district to be able to keep being fiscally responsible and balance everything in order to not raise taxes, while still providing everything that our students need," she said.

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