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Osceola superintendent urges OMB to release federal education funds held in impoundment
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Shanoff told the board federal education funds earmarked for Florida schools are being held by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and urged a prompt review; community members asked the board to pass a resolution and hold a town hall.
Superintendent Dr. Shanoff told the School District of Osceola County board on July 15 that a review by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has left federal education funding for Florida in temporary impoundment and urged federal officials to release the money. "Review us. Ask for my declaration that I signed on 04/08/2025. Inspect our materials and our curriculum maps, and deliver our money to Florida and Osceola County without delay," he said.
Why it matters: Dr. Shanoff said the hold affects programs that support instruction, staff training and services for students — including Title I, English learner services and mental-health supports — and that delays reduce the time the district and charter schools have to spend the funds this school year.
At the hearing, district staff explained that the state department of education had certified Osceola’s compliance with applicable federal requirements and that Dr. Shanoff had filed a written declaration on April 8, 2025 attesting to that compliance. He said the OMB action appears to be a cross-state review and not the result of noncompliance in Osceola.
Public commenters pressed the board for immediate local action. Erin Ozeric, a resident who identified herself during public comment, asked the board to pass a resolution calling for release of the funds and to hold a public town hall before the school year starts so families and staff can understand contingency plans. "This community has your back in this issue," she told the board.
Discussion vs. decisions: Board members and the superintendent described ongoing contingency planning; the record shows requests for outreach to federal legislators and public engagement but no formal resolution or town-hall date was adopted during the meeting. Board members encouraged constituents to contact federal representatives; a board member offered to distribute contact information for local legislators.
What happens next: Dr. Shanoff said the district is developing contingency budgets and will continue to press for federal release; community members requested additional transparency and a public meeting. The superintendent asked the OMB to review the district’s declaration and materials and to release the funds.
Ending: Board members urged residents to contact federal officials and said they would continue budget planning while monitoring the OMB review. No new formal board action on this topic was recorded at the meeting.
