Trump administration cuts $106M in funding for schools in Massachusetts
Apr 01, 2025
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Trump administration has terminated $106 million in K-12 education funding for Massachusetts.
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The funding was to support building upgrades to across 20 school districts to improve air qual
ity through HVAC installations, build outdoor learning spaces for students, enhance security in schools, supporting student mental health, tutoring and to support professional development for educators, such as DESE’s Learning Acceleration Network and five Regional Licensure Centers, according to Mass.gov.
The U.S. Department of Education notified all states last Friday at 5:03 p.m. its decision to end the federal Education Stabilization Fund. Nationally, it is estimated that this decision terminates over $2 billion across 41 states. Back in February, the Trump Administration had just reaffirmed that Massachusetts had until March 2026 to spend the funds.
Impacted school districts:
Springfield ($47,357,654)
New Bedford ($15,603,433)
Fitchburg ($6,578,468)
Everett ($4,897,300)
Revere ($4,613,327)
Boston ($3,468,659)
Leominster ($1,868,215)
Stoughton ($1,512,470)
Worcester ($1,454,350)
Chelsea ($1,448,715)
Lawrence ($1,307,307)
Dracut ($648,702)
Holyoke ($395,863)
West Springfield ($354,868)
Lynn ($339,357)
Fairhaven ($250,802)
Greater Fall River Regional Vocational Technical ($115,465)
Ludlow ($83,334)
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical ($21,461)
Mashpee ($2,481)
Impacted nonpublic schools:
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School in Holyoke ($118,894)
Saint Stanislaus School in Chicopee ($172,692)
“At a time when students are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, we need to be doing everything we can to address learning loss and the youth mental health crisis. Instead, President Trump suddenly ripped away more than $100 million in funding that is supposed to go right to Massachusetts students and schools,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This action is jeopardizing mental health care and math tutoring for our students, as well as projects that are already underway to enhance school security and ensure that the air in our school buildings is clean. Massachusetts has been making important progress helping students recover from the pandemic, but President Trump is trying to take us backwards.”
“The federal government and states should be working together to invest in capital projects that improve the learning environments for our students and support their education and wellbeing,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Massachusetts does not have the resources to replace all of the funding that President Trump is terminating. These are more devastating terminations that impact our students and schools today and well into the future.”
“We are not back yet from the pandemic. We know that many students in Massachusetts and across the country are still experiencing pandemic-related learning loss and mental health challenges. The federal government had repeatedly reaffirmed these extensions in acknowledgement of continued supply chain issues, labor shortages and to ensure continuity in learning acceleration efforts. Projects funded by these grants are underway. The Trump Administration’s outrageous and cruel decision, in which we received notice of a new arbitrary deadline, will have real harm to our students and their learning and wellbeing,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
“Withdrawing funding already in use in schools across the country is nothing short of a cruel attempt to cause chaos and destruction. Tens of thousands of children right here in Massachusetts rely on services and resources paid for by this funding. These cuts will disproportionately harm those most in need of services – students with disabilities, low-income students, and the districts serving at-risk students,” said Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. The federal education agenda is nothing short of a dismantling of our ability to provide a fair and equal public education. We thank Secretary Tutwiler and Governor Healey for their commitment to supporting our students, our schools, and our educators and we will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to protect their future.”
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