Schools get money that Trump tried to block
$158M funding includes $140M for K-12 education
By: Mary Ann Koruth
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... The Trump administration has reveres its decision to freeze $158 million in K-12 and other education-related spending for New Jersey, after a lawsuit by a coalition of 23 states attorneys general including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, and two states challenged the move.
.....
New Jersey's public schools stood to lose $140 million in approved federal school funding for the school year starting in September. [2025]
..... That money is now available again for districts to sue.
.....
In total, about $5 billion in congressionally approved funding to states across the nation was at stake, according to reports.
..... the move is a victory for state governments run by Democrats, who sued the Trump administration in a series of lawsuits since he took office.
..... The lawsuits have challenged several of the Trump administration's moves affecting public education, including funding for K-12 teacher preparation programs and the administration's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
..... The Trump administration was responding to pressure from these lawsuits, said Governor Phil Murphy and state Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer in a statement welcoming the change of stance.
..... "While we are thankful that the trump administration has made the appropriate decision to release this education funding, the untenable delay in obligation the funding and the departure from past practice is cause for serious concern," their joint statement said.
..... "New Jersey school districts depend on predictable funding to ensure students receive the services they need and to plan for the upcoming school year," [2025-2026] they said.
.....
Holding back the funds would have impacted several longstanding wraparound and K-12 programs in the 2025-2026 school year that districts had already begun planning for.
..... That included a grant that covers aftercare programming in schools, funds covering professional development for teachers, school tutoring and programs for English language learners, and funds serving multiple purposes, such as hiring counselors and therapists for students.
..... Platkin and others sued the trump administration on July 14. [2025]
..... "From the beginning, we have made clear that the president's attempt to freeze $158 million uncritical education funding for New Jersey was illegal and deeply damaging to students, families, teachers and schools. Now, under pressure from our lawsuit, the administration has relented," Platkin said in a statement.