More funding roadblocks for public schools across the country—including right here at home. On the heels of an open pathway to access American Rescue Plan funds, the Trump Administration is now withholding federal dollars critical to K–12 programs.

Nearly $7 billion in federal education funding—already approved by Congress—was expected to be distributed by July 1st. But with little explanation, the Trump Administration has put that funding on hold—including for the Guam Department of Education.

GDOE superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson said, “The consolidated grant is not just with us, but nationwide has been withheld indefinitely.”  The funding supports critical grant programs across the country. For Guam DOE, Swanson says it averages about $35 million annually.

“That’s part of the funding that takes care of afterschool programs—intervention programs–the kind of stuff we do a lot of," Swanson added. “The funding that’s been withheld initially is all the title money–Tile I, II, III, IV, & V—that’s what is consolidated in our consolidated grants. The difference is we get certain amounts of money for each one, but we can mix and match it inside the grant and use it locally. Other states and large school districts can’t do that.”

Despite that flexibility, Swanson says he may need to modify grant distributions for FY2024. Thankfully, overlapping funds should cover costs through the upcoming school year.

The superintendent said, “We would normally this week, start using 25 money this week, but that’s what’s been withheld.”

Meanwhile, Swanson also points to the impacts of the recent tax and spending bill signed into law by President Trump—and what it could mean for education in the coming years.  “What’s really going to be impacted by the changes from the white house level and the tax bill–is what’s going to happen in the 26 school year forward," he said.

“If it doesn’t change, you’ll see the bulk of our federal programs–other than special education and food service will go away.”