North Carolina Joins Education Funding Lawsuit in Federal Court

The Tarheel State on Monday joined 24 other states to sue the Trump Administration over cuts that would eliminate nearly 10% of North Carolina’s federal educational funds.

The federal government has frozen $6.8 billion nationwide in school grant funding, despite prior approval from Congress, putting programs and educator jobs at risk.

In Durham specifically, the cuts would impact almost $3 million in funding for Title II Part A (supporting effective instruction), Title III Part A (English language acquisition), Title IV Part A (student support and academic enrichment), and Title IV Part B (21st Century community learning centers).

“Public schools across North Carolina, especially in rural areas, need this money to keep teachers in the classroom and keep kids safe while they learn,” Jackson said in a statement. “It’s unlawful and unconstitutional for the Department of Education to withhold any money that Congress has appropriated. I’m going to court to get this money for our students, our schools, and North Carolina families.”

“Without these funds, nearly 1,000 teachers will have their jobs taken from them,” said Gov. Josh Stein. “The money also provides afterschool programs, supports children learning English, and helps adults learn how to read. Schools are counting on these funds; without them, they will be left scrambling as kids return to classrooms.”

North Carolina joins these states and territories in challenging the federal government’s action: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.

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