ICYMI: Trump Takes Over $40 Million from Michigan Schools from School Infrastructure Projects

As Trump tries to gut the Department of Education, his Education Secretary reneges on tens of millions for Michigan schools

LANSING — In case you missed it, Trump’s Department of Education is pulling back over $40 million in promised federal funds for pre-approved projects in Michigan schools to update their infrastructure — forcing them to use savings or abandon the projects. Let’s be clear, Trump is withholding critical funds from schools that would ensure Michigan students have schools with functioning heating, cooling, windows, and ventilation.

Michigan families deserve better schools, but Trump and his billionaire buddies are robbing Michigan schools of money they need for critical fixes to line his own pockets. Helping students should be an easy thing to agree on, but with Trump and the current MIGOP, Michigan Dems are the only ones actually supporting students.

Read more about how Trump is gutting Michigan schools and where the cuts could be felt:

Fox 2 Detroit: Trump administration pulls $42M from Michigan schools for pre-approved projects, state says

The Trump Administration has pulled back more than $40 million in pre-approved projects that Michigan school districts were told they would be reimbursed for…

The federal education department has pulled back more than $40 million in funds that were destined for more than two dozen Michigan school districts, the state said…

School districts that had received permission to submit delayed requests for late reimbursement for pre-approved projects will no longer receive the money…

The money, totaling nearly $42 million, would have been spent on the heating, ventilation, windows, air conditioning, and other building infrastructure for 27 different districts, the news release sent Monday said…

But according to state Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice, “walking back a federal commitment to pandemic relief funds…is unacceptable.”

“Twenty-seven districts across the state have preapproved financial obligations that met criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education for extending the districts’ deadlines to request reimbursement of these funds. Instead, Secretary McMahon and the Trump Administration abruptly withdrew approval.”

Without assistance, the MDE says the school districts will be forced to foot the bill for the projects by either spending from their savings or reducing current costs…

The state included a breakdown of what districts will be impacted:

Battle Creek Public Schools – $3,389,571.43
Benton Harbor Area Schools -$4,579,396.00
Bridgeport-Spaulding Schools – $543,527.85
Brighton Area Schools – $1,190,714.15
Chandler Park Academy – $1,017,396.45
Flint City School District – $15,603,029.05
Hamtramck School District – $7,248,920.00
Lincoln Park School District – $1,394,178.42
Pontiac School District – $3,294,052.23
Port Huron Area Schools – $497,205.00
Reed City Area Schools – $58,469.00
Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools – $1,253,299.63
Adrian Public Schools – $7,281.00
Carman-Ainsworth Comm. Schools – $234,818.00
Grandville Public Schools – $24,545.11
Greenville Public Schools – $24,022.00
Insight School of Michigan – $33,363.00
Marquette Area Public Schools – $9,912.14
Marysville Public Schools – $367,159.00
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy – $79,928.00
Northville Public Schools – $62,650.00
River Rouge, City School District – $28,772.00
Royal Oak Schools – $44,398.00
Van Buren Public Schools – $90,000.00
Wayland Union Schools – $66,135.00
West Bloomfield School District – $734,015.00
Whiteford Agricultural School District – $98,143.00