TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is working to get back $22.6 million in federal funding it was set to receive over the coming year. That money was earmarked to help students recover from learning gaps experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, April 3, KSDE Communications and Recognition Programs director Denise Kahler announced in a news release that Education Secretary Linda McMahon had informed state education chiefs on Friday, March 28 that the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. DOE) was ending the liquidation period for the Education Stabilization Fund (ESF), effective immediately. The ESF is an investment of over $276 billion into state and institutional COVID-19 recovery and rebuilding efforts, managed by the U.S. DOE to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus impacts on education. Topeka Fire Department to host camp for young women Last year, the KSDE secured an extension to utilize its remaining ESF resources through March 28, 2026. The agency was set to use the remaining funds for training a programs aimed at accelerating student learning recovery from the pandemic. Kahler said the KSDE is seeking reinstatement of that fund. In the meantime, KSDE has directed its contracted service providers to pause all tasks related to contracts that would incur additional costs. To date, Kansas has spent nearly $1.96 billion in ESF funding. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. ...read more read less