Bellevue Public Schools reports finances, programs; says $2 million federal grant was terminated

A Bellevue Public Schools representative told attendees at a recent presentation that the district faces tightening finances, declining enrollment and program successes — and that a $2 million federal grant was suddenly terminated after federal reviewers raised objections to language in the application.

The district representative said Bellevue Public Schools now receives about $3 million a year in federal Impact Aid, down from more than $15 million previously, and that roughly 54% of the district—s revenue comes from the state, 37% from local sources and about 8% from federal sources (about $10 million). The representative added that a federal grant known as Project Shape Up, a $2 million award for outdoor physical-education equipment, was terminated in February 2024 after federal officials flagged language stating the program would serve "all kids including special needs kids." "Immediately, $2,000,000 off the table," the representative said.

Why it matters: District officials said the loss is material for staffing and programming. The representative said that walking away from federal funds would jeopardize about 100 positions and that the district felt it could not abandon the money. "From…