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Moreno Valley Unified warns $3.2 million in federal funds may be impounded, forcing program cuts
Summary
Superintendent Alejandro Rubacaba told the board that federal impounds on already-allocated funds could strip about $3.2 million from the district, jeopardizing Title I–IV programs, migrant and English-learner supports and community learning centers; leaders outlined contingency plans including using one-time or future dollars.
Superintendent Alejandro Rubacaba told the Moreno Valley Unified School District Board of Education on Tuesday that the district faces an immediate funding risk after the federal government announced it would withhold certain allocations. "Approximately $3,200,000 that we were told we were gonna get that was allocated by the congress, but now the Trump administrations has said you're not gonna get this money," Rubacaba said, describing the move as a withdrawal of funds already planned in local budgets.
The superintendent listed specific programs that could be affected: Title I Part C migrant education; Title II support for recruiting and retaining teachers and administrators; Title III English-language acquisition; Title IV student supports and academic enrichment; and 21st Century Community Learning Center grants for after-school programs. He said the district has budgeted with those dollars in mind and that an impound would carry multi-year consequences.
"If they get impounded this year, we're not gonna get them next year, and we're not gonna get them the year after that," Rubacaba warned, emphasizing the compounding effect on services for students such as summer and after-school programming, specialist positions and CTE supports. He said the district was already evaluating options to lessen the immediate impact, including shifting one-time discretionary funds or tapping projected future revenues — a step he called "rob[bing] Peter to pay Paul." The board discussed possible uses of LCAP and other title funds not subject to the impound.
Rubacaba said the district will provide periodic updates and is monitoring litigation and federal developments that might reverse the impounds. He also noted indirect consequences: changes to SNAP eligibility and Medicaid reductions may increase student needs, further straining schools. "Students suffer because of the political whims of adults," he said, urging the board to prepare for difficult decisions.
What happens next: district staff said they will develop a sequencing plan to identify which programs to prioritize, produce preliminary counts after the July 29 uniform-sizing event (where applicable), and return with budget recommendations and status updates at future meetings. The board asked for regular updates and expressed support for exploring legal remedies and contingencies.
The superintendent framed the briefing as preliminary because federal guidance and litigation outcomes remain in flux. "A lot of my answer is gonna be we don't know yet," he told trustees at the meeting.
