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Massachusetts joined 23 states on Monday to sue Education Secretary Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump, and budget director Russell Vought for withholding over $6 billion in education funding that was appropriated by Congress — with more than $107 million destined for Massachusetts and $2.6 million for New Bedford.
One filing in the lawsuit cites the impacts to New Bedford, warning that the “loss of federal funding [is] likely to result in layoffs, cuts to crucial summer and after school programming, and ESL support for English learners” in the Whaling City.
“As a result of the freeze, the [New Bedford] school system will be forced to make difficult choices regarding staff dedicated to improving the lives of New Bedford students, with some staff likely to be terminated,” the filing read.
In New Bedford, the withheld $2.6 million included grants that support summer-time and afterschool programs, grants for “effective instruction,” and grants that support “English language acquisition” and “academic achievement” for immigrants.
“State and federal law establishes minimum appropriations for public schools,” said New Bedford Superintendent Andrew O’Leary in a statement on Monday. “Arbitrarily holding back such funding with no communication to the affected parties is a disservice to students that should prompt a strong response.”
On the evening of June 30, McMahon’s Department of Education informed all 50 state departments of education that funds were being withheld for “review” to ensure consistency with the “President’s priorities,” according to the lawsuit. Many of the funds were destined for programs that support English learners, extracurricular opportunities, and improved school conditions.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. It claims that “defendants have engaged in this conduct without any statutory or constitutional authority.” The withheld funds came from formula grants designated by Congress, which dictated how much money should be available and when.
The withheld funds were supposed to become available on July 1 — meaning states learned of the withholding one day before the new fiscal year began. Impacts on programs could be immediate.
In New Bedford, a popular program known as “21st Century Community Learning Centers” — also known as 21CCLC — has been reeling from news of the decision.
At Jacobs Elementary, in New Bedford’s South End, hundreds of students attend 21CCLC, where they go on field trips, learn to ride bikes, play musical instruments, and work on reading skills.
“These kids need these types of programs,” said Dan Viegas, a site coordinator at Jacobs. “We have lots of latch-key kids and kids who don’t have access to other extracurriculars.”
“We have kids who live within walking distance to the beach but have never been there,” Viegas said. “We take them there.”
The program is chock-full of kids, and Viegas said they never have to advertise. Students tell their friends, and people are always asking to join the program. Kids as young as preschool and as old as fifth grade partake in all sorts of learning activities, free from the testing and strictures of the school year.
One grant has allowed 21CCLC to hire students from New Bedford High as interns.
“I reviewed the lesson plan for one of my interns this morning and gave feedback like she was any other staff member,” Viegas said. The funding helps the district to provide valuable work experience, and prioritizes students who want to be teachers and will be the first in their family to attend college.
Other grants are targeted at attracting English language learners, ensuring that their summertimes are spent learning the reading and communication skills that they might otherwise fall behind on at home.
“If we don’t get this money, we can’t continue,” said Jen Ferland, the district’s executive director of strategic initiatives and partnerships. As of this moment, Ferland said, the 21CCLC afterschool program this fall is cancelled.
“My immediate worry is for the children,” said Monica DaSilva, another site coordinator at Jacobs. If afterschool programs like these go away, kids in this program will have nothing to do — and no supervision — during their summers or after school this fall, according to 21CCLC site administrators.
The only justification for these cuts from the Trump administration remains the June 30 email from the federal Department of Education, which read: “The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” as cited in the lawsuit.
Plaintiffs include the District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin — a total of 25 plaintiffs seeking the restoration of $6 billion in funds.
Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org
Will the lawsuit matter now that the Supreme Court has ruled that Trump can cut the Edcation budget even though congress approved the funding?
Is there anything we can do to help? Can we teach classes? Volunteer in any way? Please advise.
21st century is basically a babysitting service, where teachers get overtime.
How to survive with the current budget, current funding? All departments, mainly school need discipline. If schools ran with discipline the classrooms would be focusing on learning not bullying, socializing or clowning around. Go back to 40 students per classroom. With classrooms being under control, learning would be the only option. Back to the day when the look on a teachers, principal or superintendent scare the be Jesus out of the the student, back to a day like when Mr. Michael Longo was a teacher, principal then Superintendent. That’s when children learned, students can’t learn today, too many distractions. Think of how much money would be saved. Reduction in teaching force. Of course the teachers will be screaming they were overwhelmed, Mr. Michael Longo did it as did any teacher back in the 70’s and 80’s. Back when teachers were looked up too. There could always be helpers for the teachers. Newbies learning the ropes maybe working with 4 teachers, learning different ways of teaching. Back to the days of Mr. Marchand, Mr. Charbonneau, Mr. Foster, Mr. Abel Pimental, Mrs. Strepchezki (excuse my spelling, it’s been a long time.) Mr. Carlos Alves, Ms Bonneau, yes there was a time she was great, before becoming a principal, that’s where she lost her footing. Mr. Pecinni, Ms Marvelous (Ms. Burchell). Back in the day when teachers had the support to teach, not babysit. Yet many of those teachers molded us into the financially stable person we are today. FOR GOD SAKE, STOP THE GREEDINESS OF MONEY. Teach the kids, stop the whining. Stop the feet up on the desk and start removing the employees wasting the cities money. Newbies need to earn there keep not come in on the coattails of others. This bit with keeping employees with a poor worth ethic has to stop. It’s our money and we want it used properly now. As for grants, have 2 people responsible, that way 1 follows the rules and does not allow funds to be used for things they should not be.