CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A decision to freeze billions of dollars at the federal level for K-12 education has trickled down to the local level, potentially impacting $12 million in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System’s budget.
Last week, the Trump administration froze nearly $7 billion in the federal education fund, a decision that came only one day before the funds were scheduled to be released to the states, according to the Associated Press.
“While we haven’t received definitive information about when or how these funds will be distributed, we are approaching the situation with both caution and optimism,” said Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder, CMCSS director of schools.
What is $7 billion freeze?
On June 30, the administration froze nearly $7 billion in federal education funding that was scheduled to go out the next day, July 1.
Schools across the nation are feeling the pressure that the freeze is causing and are prepping their budgets for the impact it could have on the upcoming school year. Here are the five federal programs affected by this freeze, according to ChalkBeat.org and AP:
- English language instruction: A program meant to help English learners develop their language skills.
- Migrant education: Often used to hire teachers to travel close to where students live.
- Title II funds: Professional development and trainings for teachers.
- Before-and After-school programs: Such as Boys & Girls Clubs.
- Academic Enrichment programs: Such as STEM or college and career counseling.
The financial impact on the state of Tennessee as a whole is approximately $120 million, according to Luna-Vedder.
CMCSS plans for $12 million budget hole
During the CMCSS study session Tuesday night, Luna-Vedder provided an update.
“Approximately $7 billion in the federal education funding that includes programs such as Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV and Adult Basic Literacy Education have been temporarily frozen while the U.S. Department of Education completes their review process,” Luna-Vedder explained. “For CMCSS, it impacts about $12 million of our budget.”
That $12 million is approximately half of the $23.4 million in federal revenue projected in the 2025-26 CMCSS budget, which is part of $428.5 million in the General-Purpose Budget Revenues planned for next year. The CMCSS General Purpose Budget consists of state, local, federal and non-revenue sources.
‘People over programs’
“I want to emphasize that CMCSS will prioritize people over programs, should we need to make any cuts,” Luna-Vedder told the board. “We will continue to safeguard all services that provide any direct support to students.”
Board member Herb Nelson asked what programs she anticipates will be cut first if it comes to that.
Luna-Vedder responded that “anything that we currently have in place, we are going to attempt to continue.” She explained that for the last week, they have been reviewing each line item and pausing anything that could be paused.
“For instance, if it’s professional development training for October, we’re saying ‘We’re going to pause that for right now.’ We may certainly be able to do that in October,” Luna-Vedder said. “But the priority right now is making sure that our Title I, our academic coaches, anyone paid out of those federal funds continues to have a job.
“My concern is, and always is, the Special Education usually gets on the chopping block first,” Nelson added. ” I have a special place in my heart for those kids, and I would hate to see any of their programs get cut.”
Luna-Vedder assured him that there is nothing in Special Education, currently, that is going to be cut.
CMCSS’ summer programs, which were included in the 2024-25 Extended School Program Fund and concluded before the 2025-26 fiscal year began on July 1, were not impacted by the freeze, according to Johnson.