Why Vermont schools face a $26 million loss as US funding for English learners and adult education disappears

The sudden halt of more than $6 billion in federal education funding nationwide is sending shockwaves through school districts and adult learning centres, with Vermont among the hardest hit. The funding freeze by the Trump administration, which affects crucial grants supporting after-school programmes, summer activities, and English language instruction, has left schools scrambling to adjust budgets and cut vital services.

More than $26 million in federal funds earmarked for Vermont was abruptly withheld by the US Department of Education just hours before the money was due to be dispersed. This unexpected pause has left school officials and adult education providers uncertain about the future, with many warning that the cuts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable students and adult learners across the state, as reported by VTDigger.

Funding freeze hits essential programs
Six federal grant programmes have been put on hold nationwide, including Title IIA and Title IIIA grants that support teacher professional development and English learner services. In Vermont, these grants have long sustained nearly 100 after-school and summer programmes benefiting more than 10,000 students, alongside adult learning services offering high school diplomas, GEDs, and English language classes, according to Senator Bernie Sanders’ office, as reported by VTDigger.

The funding freeze has created a significant budget gap for many districts. For example, Winooski School District, a high-poverty district, faces a $700,000 shortfall. Sarah Haven, the district’s director of finance and operations, told VTDigger that the district had already signed contracts for staff salaries through the 2025-26 school year, primarily relying on these federal grants for funding. "The hardest thing about what’s happened here is that this decision came after we had done a lot of financial planning, and we’re caught really off guard," Michael Eppolito, Winooski’s director of curriculum and learning, said, as quoted by VTDigger.

Impact on vulnerable students and adult learners
Eppolito warned that the cuts will affect the most vulnerable students immediately, forcing districts to trim programmes considered non-essential. He cited the potential reduction of digital tools supporting math and English language arts instruction, as reported by VTDigger. Other districts, such as Essex Westford and Hardwood Unified Union, have also reported major budget hits and the need to pause professional development programmes.

Adult education centres, which serve nearly 1,500 Vermonters annually, are also deeply affected. Tara Brooks, head of VT Adult Learning, estimated a $500,000 loss that could lead to staff cuts and increased wait lists for English classes and workforce development programmes. "There’s no way around it," she told VTDigger. "We already have wait lists for a lot of our bigger locations... it’s only going to increase if we have to reduce staff."

Uncertainty and political fallout
The Vermont Agency of Education has yet to receive any communication from federal officials regarding the status of the funding. The agency is coordinating with state leaders and Congress to explore next steps, a spokesperson told VTDigger.

Senator Sanders condemned the funding pause in a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and OMB Director Russell Vought, calling it an "illegal and unconstitutional decision" and warning of widespread negative impacts on students and educators nationwide, as reported by VTDigger. Despite these demands, no response has been received.

While some organisations remain hopeful the funds will be restored, others warn that continuing without them is unsustainable. Catherine Kalkstein of Central VT Adult Education said they are currently using reserve funds but cannot maintain that approach long term, as quoted by VTDigger.

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