OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Shauna Logan, a grandmother, expressed concern that her grandchildren might not receive the educational resources they need due to a delay in federal funding.
Logan never feared a lack of federal education funds in the past, but now faces an uncertain future for the next generation.
The Department of Education is currently withholding over $6 billion in federal payments to school districts nationwide. The funds, initially scheduled for release on July 1, are being withheld to ensure that funded programs align with the current administration’s priorities.
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Dr. Mark Shanoff, Superintendent of Osceola County Schools, which serves over 80,000 students across areas including Celebration, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, Harmony, and Kenansville, shared his concerns.
“We are still waiting for federal funding to be released through several federal grants. So as soon as those funds will be released by the federal government, I will feel much better about our position,” said Shanoff.
Osceola County’s diverse student population includes children from 140 countries, speaking over 98 languages, with approximately 25 percent participating in the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. Federal funds support essential programs such as teacher training, multilingual student services, and afterschool programming.
When asked about the financial scale, Shanoff confirmed the district is looking at millions of dollars held up that were available in previous years.
“What will you do if you don’t get that money? That’s a good question. We’re kind of preparing for any possible scenario,” Shanoff added.
The school district is actively developing contingency plans and engaging with local legislators to address the crisis.
Students in Osceola County are slated to return to school on Monday, Aug. 11, just four weeks away, as the uncertainty about federal funding continues.