Northwestern Lehigh board hears briefing on federal school funding after public concern about Department of Education

At a recent Northwestern Lehigh School District board meeting, residents pressed the board about national proposals to shrink or eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and asked how lost federal dollars would affect local services. District staff presented a breakdown showing federal revenue represents a small portion of the district’s general fund but supports specific positions and programs.

The issue drew public comment from Tara Ballinger of Heidelberg Township, who said, “It’s very real at this point that they’re gonna dissolve the department of ed and probably take funding from schools.” Ballinger asked whether the district could notify the community and urged parents to contact elected officials.

District staff told the board that overall federal funding—when combined in the general fund—amounts to roughly 1% of total general fund revenue. “So our federal funds represents approximately 1% of our total fund general fund revenue,” staff said, and explained how those federal dollars are used in local programs.

Why it matters: the district said federal funds are modest in size but targeted. Title I (about $237,000 in the district this year) supports partial…