HIDOE says $33M in school funding imperiled by Trump administration

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education estimates that approximately $33 million in congressionally appropriated federal funds has been delayed by the administration of President Donald Trump.

In a statement, HIDOE said it “is evaluating immediate and potential impacts” of the funding delay.

“These funds are significant to the activities funded by the programs that provide support to students, teachers and schools,” HIDOE said in a statement.

HIDOE says programs affected by the federal funding delay are:

1. Migrant education: These funds support migratory children in reaching challenging academic standards and graduating from high school.
2. Supporting effective instruction: These funds support increasing student achievement by improving the quality and effectiveness of educators and underserved students’ access to effective educators.
3. English language acquisition: These funds help students learn English and meet challenging state academic standards.
4. Student support and academic enrichment program: These funds support improving student academic achievement, including providing students with access to a well-rounded education, enhancing school conditions for student learning, and enhancing the use of technology.
5. Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers: These funds provide academic enrichment opportunities such as literacy and other educational services during non-school hours (e.g., through after-school or summer programs) for students and families, particularly those in underserved and low-performing schools.
6. Adult education basic grants to states. These funds support adult education and literacy services, including workplace literacy services, family literacy services, English literacy programs and integrated English literacy-civics education programs.

HIDOE said it is advocating for the release of the congressionally appropriated funds. Department leaders have discussed the importance of this funding with Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation.

HIDOE stated that it is prioritizing activities supported by these federal programs and assessing the impacts of funds being delayed or withheld. At this time, HIDOE anticipates minimal impacts on activities and personnel for the start of the school year. If the U.S DOE does not release the funds by the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30, HIDOE said “programs and services will definitely be affected in the future, and the department would strive to avoid program reductions by reprioritizing funds internally as well as requesting legislative support for priority programs.”

The funding is Hawaiʻi’s portion of almost $6.9 billion in federal K–12 education funding, usually released to states on July 1, that the Trump administration is withholding from students and classrooms. Despite Congress passing a continuing resolution in March, which Trump signed, extending previous funding levels through fiscal year 2025, the federal education department is taking a first step toward “impoundment,” the illegal withholding of money appropriated by Congress to fund federal programs and activities.

In a statement, NEA President Becky Pringle said, “School hasn’t even started, and this administration is robbing our students and classrooms. It’s shocking, but not surprising, considering the lack of concern for students that this administration has displayed since day 1.

“Withholding billions in promised federal education funding that students need—and states had planned to use to support children in their states—is a cruel betrayal of students, especially those who rely on critical support services. Schools are already grappling with severe teacher shortages, burnout, and under-resourced classrooms, and here comes the federal government ripping resources away from public schools. It is outrageous and unconscionable,” Pringle added.

HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “If these funds are not released, Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable students, migrant children, English learners, and those in under-resourced communities, will bear the brunt of the harm. These programs are not optional add-ons; they are lifelines that support student learning, safety, and success. Withholding congressionally approved funding is not just a bureaucratic issue, it is a direct threat to student opportunity and equity.”