Agency of Education says FY26 federal funding largely intact but 54 grants need waivers; one district's summer learning at risk

Sean Cousinoe, Interim Chief Financial Officer at the Agency of Education, told the House Appropriations Committee Thursday that the agency’s federal spending authority for fiscal 2026 is about $206,000,000 and that "the majority of that is the grant line," funding districts and child‑nutrition and early‑childhood programs.

The agency said federal dollars directly or indirectly touch a large share of its workforce: the agency has 178 positions, federal funds fully or partly touch 92 positions and the agency counts roughly 65 full‑time equivalent positions funded by federal grants. "8,800,000 is used to fund agency staff," Cousinoe said when asked which portion of the federal budget covers personnel.

Why it matters: Committee members focused on two risks that could affect services in Vermont schools and districts. First, the agency said it is working through 54 grants that were placed into a "late liquidation" status after the U.S. Department of Education rescinded previously granted extensions; each grant now requires…