Educators from around the state met with Gov. Jared Polis to discuss the impacts of losing $80 million in federal funding, which is currently being withheld by the Department of Education. 

The the federal department is withholding up to $7 billion in funding to school districts nationwide, all of which had been approved by Congress and was scheduled to be distributed on July 1. Colorado districts had expected to receive over $70 million in funds for programs that support migrant children, English language learners, and new teachers. An additional $10 million was tabbed for adult education programs. 

The Department of Education says it’s withholding the funds until it can verify that they’re being spent on programs that are “in accordance with the President’s priorities” and its “statutory responsibilities.”

Last week, several education organizations made statements criticizing the move, saying the funds are critical to helping Colorado’s most underserved students.

During a roundtable discussion at West High School in Denver, teachers and superintendents from Denver Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, and Lake County School District spoke about how their districts will be impacted if the funding isn’t released. 

According to Lake County Superintendent Kate Bartlett, the district receives three different types of funding, including $400,000 in 21st Century Grants, which helps pay for before and after school programs. Out-of-school programming is critical in her community, she said, because 70% of its residents commute out of the county for work and often need childcare beyond regular school hours and on Fridays, when school is not in session.

“I cannot overstate how embedded this program is in the fabric of our community,” Bartlett said. “If these funds don’t materialize, we have got a couple of choices: we can either reduce staff, or we can reduce our days and overall services to students. So I would say, if I had to sum up the impacts, it’s an earthquake.”

Jefferson County, the state’s second-largest district, may have to eliminate its new Mobile Welcome Center, a bus that’s been converted into a space for migrant families to speak with multilingual ambassadors, register their children for school, and receive supplies like diapers and books. 

“It’s just been a tremendous support for our schools so that they can focus on supporting the students with learning and not necessarily all the wraparound services, but also ensuring that families get the background services they need,” said Superintendent Tracy Dorland. “So that’s probably my biggest worry, is how we’re going to support that.”

Most staff members who could be impacted by the cuts have been notified, Bartlett and Dorland said, but they’re still hoping they won’t have to eliminate their positions. However, as the beginning of the school year looms closer, they know they’re running out of time. 

“I’d say we’re on about a ten-day clock,” Bartlett said.