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Board opposes federal withholding of education funds and urges protection of U.S. Department of Education
Summary
Trustee Greg Larson’s resolution opposing the withholding of federally authorized education funding, with a friendly amendment referencing a recent Supreme Court action, passed unanimously; trustees discussed local impacts on migrant and ESEA-funded programs.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Education unanimously adopted Resolution 25-28 opposing the withholding of federally authorized education funds and urging congressional or legal action to preserve the U.S. Department of Education.
Trustee Greg Larson framed the resolution as a response to legislative and judicial developments in Washington, saying the committee recommended adding language to recognize a recent Supreme Court action and to urge continuation of the Department of Education. “We show our strong support for his efforts and also our strong opposition to the withholding of federally authorized education funds that all of our students and schools need,” Larson said.
Board members discussed local consequences, noting that withheld ESEA funds and migrant-education programs would disproportionately affect Pajaro Valley Unified School District and other vulnerable communities. Superintendent Farris Sabah told trustees that roughly $10 million in local funding is tied to national ESEA allocations and that programs such as migrant education and 21st Century grants could see reductions or service changes.
The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with all trustees recorded in favor. The board’s action also included a friendly amendment to reference the recent Supreme Court development and an explicit request that the congressional delegation and the courts maintain funding and oversight structures.
No specific budget reallocation or program change was authorized in the resolution; the vote was a statement of policy and advocacy intended to support district and county-level efforts to protect federal education funding.
