This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Trump canceled millions in California school grants. The state is suing to reclaim the money
Students walk to their classroom at the start of the day during summer session at Laurel Elementary in Oakland in 2021.
(
Anne Wernikoff
/
CalMatters
)
The Trump administration overstepped its authority when it cut short pandemic relief grants for K-12 schools, a move that cost them hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a lawsuit filed today by California and a dozen other states.
The suit, filed against the U.S. Department of Education in the Southern District of New York, is California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s 13th lawsuit against the Trump administration.
“When the president breaks the law, we sue. It’s that simple,” Bonta said. “And he’s broken the law again, unfortunately, this time harming children in the process.”
“Our students have congressionally appropriated funding coming their way post-pandemic to help with all the challenges,” Bonta added. “The funds had a rollout period of another year but [U.S. Secretary of Education Secretary Linda McMahon] cut them overnight, and she doesn’t have the authority to do that.”
-
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed record levels of public funding for K-12 schools, but several Southern California school districts may need to make cuts next school year. -
Transitional kindergarten is forcing a change in the way elementary schools operate in California. -
Choosing a school in L.A. is overwhelming — that's why LAist created a guide. Here's what we did to get it to families who needed the information.
The lawsuit stems from a March 28 letter McMahon sent to state education chiefs, saying that the government would no longer honor extensions of COVID relief grants. States can ask for new extensions for individual projects, but in general the government would no longer send out COVID-relief grant money.
“Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion,” McMahon wrote.
Sponsored message
In California, schools would lose about $200 million, Bonta said.
Tutoring and mental health
During the pandemic, the federal government gave out almost $200 billion to K-12 schools to help students recover academically and emotionally from school closures related to COVID-19. Schools used the money for tablets, after-school programs, tutoring, summer school, mental health counseling and other initiatives. California schools received more than $13 billion through several rounds of grants.
Most of those grants expired last year, but the Biden administration extended the spending deadline until March 2026 for districts that needed it.
Bonta’s lawsuit argues that McMahon’s order is illegal because the money was approved by Congress and the Trump administration doesn’t have a right to slash it. The suit is asking that the Department of Education reinstate the original deadline of March 2026 and give schools the money they were originally allotted.
The pandemic had a profound effect on schools, as thousands closed their campuses for at least a year and switched to remote learning. Low-income students in particular fell behind academically, as they often lacked reliable Wi-Fi service or a quiet place to study. Many students also experienced depression and anxiety if a parent lost a job, a relative died, or they simply couldn’t see their friends.
Although test scores, discipline rates and attendance have all improved since 2020, most schools still lag behind their pre-pandemic performance.
Trending on LAist
-
Leads Ali Wong and Steven Yeun issue a joint statement along with show creator Lee Sung Jin. -
Say goodbye to the old FAFSA and hello to what we all hope is a simpler, friendlier version. -
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display. -
An onslaught of velella velella washed up on shore this weekend on Southern California beaches. The blue jellyfish-like creatures were swept by the winds of California's recent storms. -
In the 1950s and ‘60s, the city evicted the mostly Black and Latino working-class residents of Section 14 and destroyed their homes. Now, survivors and their descendants seek reparations. -
Port officials say "resuming cargo operations at America’s busiest port complex is critical to maintaining confidence of our customers and supply chain stakeholders."
Best of LAist
