Pinellas school leaders warn federal review of grants could remove $9 million from next school year

Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Hendrick said July 15 that the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget have placed multiple federal grant awards for review, withholding about $9 million intended for the district and creating a gap the board must address before the new school year.

Hendrick told the board the nationwide hold affects roughly $7 billion and that local impacts include reduced funding through FEFP adjustments and cuts to federal grant awards that support professional development, English-learner instruction, enrichment and after‑school programs. He said the district will present budget recommendations at a July 22 workshop and a tentative budget and millage hearing on July 29 that will not assume the withheld funds have been released.

Why it matters: The impoundment affects programs that district staff said were already operating or scheduled to begin July 1. Hendrick told board members that 47 employees are funded through the affected grants and that, while the district will not lay off those staff, positions and programs paid by the grants will be adjusted or cease if the money is not released.

Details and scope

Hendrick identified the specific federal awards currently paused: Title II, Part A (professional development and instructional coaching); Title III, Part A (English language instruction for multilingual learners); Title IV, Part A (well‑rounded education, safe and healthy schools, technology); Title IV, Part B (21st Century Community Learning Centers after‑school funding serving six schools and about 350 students); and the Adult Education and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Grant. He said the district expects the pause will remove about $9 million from the Pinellas funding picture and called the timing “completely unreasonable” given the district’s July 1 fiscal year and an Aug. 11 start to the school year.

Hendrick also said a separate statewide calculation reduced the Florida Education Finance Program allocation by $47 million statewide, which translated to about $1.4 million less for Pinellas; he reported a separate reduction in Title I funding of roughly $300,000.

Board reaction and next steps

Board members responded by endorsing coordinated advocacy and community outreach. Vice Chair Caprice Edmond, Board members Kane, Meyer, Blacksburg, Long and others said they supported an immediate public forum — to be virtual and in‑person — and a formal letter to the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Management and Budget and state officials asking for release of funds for the 2025–26 school year while compliance reviews proceed. Superintendent Hendrick said district staff would prepare a draft “dear colleague” letter and social media messaging and work with the board chair to finalize it.

Several members suggested a separate town‑hall-style meeting to present the facts to parents and community partners and to canvass ways local organizations might temporarily support programs if funds remain unavailable. Board members noted the district’s history of program investments — Hendrick said the middle school experience program represents about $400,000 of the impounded funds and credited that program with raising the number of middle schools graded A or B from eight to 20 out of 22 since 2022.

Legal and external developments

School Board Attorney Koprzke informed members that 24 states and the District of Columbia had filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief to compel the federal government to release the impounded funds; he said the case could move quickly through appeals. Board members said they and local congressional offices were actively engaged; Hendrick thanked Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Kathy Castor for earlier assistance in advocating for the funds.

Public comments and advocacy requests

Speakers during public comment urged the board to issue public statements, convene town halls and pass a resolution asking the Office of Management and Budget to release funds. Dr. Sonya Halman, speaking about agenda items that included federal grant requests, asked the board to “release a public statement about the freeze” and to hold a town hall so parents can learn how the impoundment may affect services.

What the board did and did not do

Board members agreed to pursue coordinated advocacy, community outreach and a public forum before the budget hearing. They did not take a formal vote to spend reserves or adopt budget changes at the meeting; Hendrick said the district will not use reserve funds below board policy thresholds and will bring specific budget options to the July 22 workshop and the July 29 tentative budget hearing.

Closing

Board members asked the superintendent and staff to produce draft messaging and a letter for review and to schedule a virtual public forum before the tentative budget hearing so families and partners can ask questions and explore temporary community supports if federal funds remain under review.