Kirsten Baesler announced that federal title funds, over $5 billion, will be released to North Dakota school districts after a prolonged freeze. This funding freeze caused distress among educators, leading to concerns over budget cuts and layoffs. Baesler expressed gratitude to the school leaders for their patience and reassured them regarding their budget planning. The situation illustrates a conflict in President Trump's education policy, where cutting funding can produce backlash, even in conservative areas, highlighting the universal need for educational support.
"Thank you for your advocacy, patience, professionalism, and persistence as we've waited for these essential funds to flow," Baesler wrote to local school leaders.
"Hopefully, this development will provide greater clarity as you move forward with budget planning for the upcoming year," Baesler reassured them.
The four-week funding freeze—and the backlash it sparked—showed that cutting popular programs for schoolkids can be as unwelcome in Trump country as it is in coastal cities.
After months of being told to 'wait it out,' districts are now supposed to pick up the pieces and act like everything's fine," said Steven Johnson.
Collection
[
|
...
]