LARGO, Fla. (WLFA) — The Pinellas County School Board is addressing the effects that the suspension of federal funds will have on the district. Over a thousand individuals attended the public forum organized by the school board to provide updates to the community.
Leaders spoke to a room of parents and concerned community members and told them they are on the same page when it comes to frozen federal dollars.
“Our school board fully agreed on the necessity of hosting this forum tonight,” stated Laura Hine, the School Board Chair. “We are also united in our support for releasing these frozen funds.”
Key programs aimed at enhancing middle school experiences, boosting professional development for teacher retention, and arts enrichment are at risk of being affected. Parents expressed their disappointment over the situation but attended the meeting seeking further information.
“I’m angry because that would be taken away, why make the kids suffer and struggle?” said Brittnie Blunt, a mother of two.
Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said they’ve reallocated $4 million to help with the loss but said the $9 million frozen by the federal government still hangs over their heads.
“You can read, I can read, we can all surmise that perhaps these funds might be repurposed to some other reason. We don’t know,” said Hendrick.
The U.S. Department of Education said it is ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the president’s priorities. Board members said they wrote letters to elected leaders on the state and federal levels.
Two letters from State Representatives Kathy Castor and Anna Paulina Luna show the release of the funds is seeing bipartisan support. The board said no employees will lose their jobs, but positions will change, and salaries will be impacted.
“I’m not going to cry, this is heartbreaking,” said a board member.
Parents said it feels like students, their kids, are being knocked down.
“The innocent children shouldn’t be having all their programs that they benefit from be taken away. And it seems like almost their education is going to be taken away,” said Blunt.
The board is encouraging community members to contribute creative ways to fill the gaps left by the funding freeze. They ask people to sign up to volunteer at schools, and mentor students. If any community members know of businesses willing to donate toward the Pinellas Education Fund, the board said the money will support the programs they’ll lose funding for.
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