Franklin County Schools: $451,500 in federal grants frozen; district may cover salaries from general fund

The Franklin County Public Schools superintendent told the board July 14 that the federal government—s pause on certain grant payments left the district with $451,500 in frozen funds that had been budgeted for the current fiscal year.

The superintendent said the freeze affects Title II ($276,000), Title III ($40,000) and Title IV Part B ($135,500). "So that's a direct impact to the district of almost half a million dollars," the superintendent said during the meeting.

District staff told the board that portions of those grants already were committed to salaries: about $70,000 from Title II toward the federal programs director and two math coaches; about $25,000 from Title III toward an English Learner (EL) teacher; and about $65,000 from Title IV toward a social worker position. The superintendent said those salary costs will need to be absorbed by the district—s general fund while the federal dollars remain frozen.

The superintendent described the freeze as a nationwide action and noted that 23 states joined a lawsuit challenging the federal pause. The board was told the money had been planned and approved in prior budgeting and that the freeze creates a short-term funding gap the district must address this fiscal year.

Board members asked clarifying questions about which positions and services are affected and were told the figures cited are for the current fiscal year commitments already in place. The superintendent encouraged board members to contact state and federal representatives about releasing the funds.

No formal vote or motion related to the frozen funds was recorded at the meeting; the superintendent presented the information as a district update and financial concern for trustees to monitor going forward.

The superintendent also urged trustees to reach out to the district's congressional delegation and Kentucky's U.S. senators about the impact of the funding pause.