Trump Administration Pulls $42M In Federal Pandemic Funds From MI Schools: MDE

MICHIGAN — The Trump administration pulled nearly $42 million in federal funding from more than two dozen Michigan school districts, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Michigan education officials said the U.S. Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, suddenly cut off COVID relief funds that were approved for delayed projects.

The school districts initially had until March 28, 2026 to submit a request for the funds, which were made available under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

But the Trump administration moved that date up to March 28, 2025, meaning 27 Michigan school districts could lose more than $40 million that was approved for future school-related projects with late reimbursement, according to Michigan officials.

Moreover, Michigan Superintendent Michael F. Rice said the abrupt policy change could force school districts to change their financial plans, possibly having to cut educational spending or savings.

"Walking back a federal commitment to pandemic relief funds to improve the air quality, healthfulness, and safety of schools coming out of the pandemic is unacceptable," Rice said. "These funds were approved to be spent on projects including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, boilers, and windows."

Federal officials in the Trump administration said the funding is no longer needed or justifiable, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Education Week.

"By failing to meet the clear deadline in the regulation, you ran the risk that the Department would deny your extension request," McMahon said in the letter, according to Education Week. "Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

Michigan Board of Education President Pamela Pugh also blasted the administration's decision to walk back its commitments.

"These federally funded projects are important to students and staff in our districts in Michigan and across the country," Pugh said. "To cancel funding approval on no notice and to tell districts that they may apply for a second approval from the U.S. Department of Education to access these funds, with different criteria, has nothing to do with service to schoolchildren."

Here are the 27 Michigan school districts that will be affected by the cuts:

• 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