Update: The U.S. Department of Education has released nearly $36 million for education in North Carolina that the Trump administration had frozen, Axios reported on on July 22.
Schools in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties could lose more than $6 million as part of the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding for programs that primarily help low-income students and those who don’t speak English as their first language.
The administration is withholding more than $6 billion for schools across the country, including nearly $169 million in North Carolina. In a June 30 memo to school districts, the U.S. Department of Education said certain federal funds were awaiting review to ensure “taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities.” It does not say how long the funding review process could take.
Public Schools of Robeson County could lose $3.2 million, more than other district in the Border Belt. Without the money, more than 20 employees would face layoffs and migrant education and some academic enrichment services would likely end, said Erica Setzer, the district’s chief finance officer.
More than 150 students take part in Robeson County schools’ growing migrant education and English language programs, according to Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Freeman. Most students in the programs are Hispanic. The Hispanic population is rapidly growing in Robeson County, having doubled in the past decade. Hispanic students account for 22% of total enrollment in the public school district.
Richard Schwartz, the attorney for the district, said he believes the funding freeze is unconstitutional. “Congress authorized this money. The Department of Education cannot impound it—it’s not their call,” he said at a school board meeting on July 8.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined 24 other state attorneys general in suing the Department of Education, his office announced on Monday. He said the funds threaten the jobs of nearly 1,000 educators across the state. The cuts make up nearly 10% of the state’s federal educational funding.
Rural school districts will suffer the largest drop in investment per student, with some districts losing over $300 per pupil, according to a report from the North Carolina Justice Center. Bladen County Schools and Whiteville City Schools are among the school districts that could lose the most per student — $262 and $312, respectively.
“Public schools across North Carolina, especially in rural areas, need this money to keep teachers in the classroom and keep kids safe while they learn,” Jackson said at a press conference Monday. “It’s unlawful and unconstitutional for the Department of Education to withhold money that Congress has appropriated. I’m going to court to get this money for our students, our schools, and North Carolina families.”
A group of 16 states, which did not include North Carolina, sued the administration earlier this month over a different education-related federal funding freeze.
The latest funding freeze for Robeson County schools is among the highest in the state, trailing larger urban districts like Charlotte-Mecklenburg and those in Wake, Guilford and Cumberland counties, according to the Department of Public Instruction.
Bladen County Schools could lose more than $1 million. Scotland County Schools and Whiteville City Schools could each lose $700,000, while Columbus County Schools could lose nearly $587,000.
While most of the frozen money is for K-12 public schools, the U.S. Department of Education is also reviewing funds for charter schools and after-school programs. Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville could lose nearly $70,000, Emereau: Bladen could lose about $46,000, and Old Main STREAM Academy in Pembroke could lose nearly $26,000.
Robeson County Parks and Recreation, which hosts after-school programs, could lose $454,000. The department declined to comment on the funding freeze or say which programs may be affected.
In a July 3 memo to districts and charter schools, state schools superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said schools can use carryover funds from previous school years for at-risk programs.
“This delay in funding comes dangerously close to the beginning of the school year, creating unnecessary challenges for our schools as they plan and staff for the year ahead,” Green, a Democrat, told WUNC. “I respectfully urge President Trump and his administration to reassess and swiftly release these funds so that we can adequately prepare to serve all students across North Carolina for the 2025-26 school year.”
President Donald Trump’s administration has already cut millions in education spending across the state, including grants for teacher training, mental health and emergency relief. The administration said the programs promoted “divisive ideologies” like diversity, equity and inclusion.
Robeson County schools were set to lose $14.6 million as part of a broader freeze on unspent pandemic-era federal funds. But several states appealed, and the funding has resumed following a ruling by a New York judge in May.
“The U.S. Department of Education has backed down for now,” Schwartz said at the recent school board meeting. “The good news is that some money is flowing again.”
Schwartz criticized the latest funding freeze. “It’s an incredibly high-handed, last-minute, heavy move by the Department of Education,” he said. “I anticipate the Department of Education will have a hard time defending it.”
