Fort Worth ISD鈥檚 70 after-school program locations will open in the new academic year following the release of federal money, district officials said.
The U.S. Department of Education on July 21 released nationwide after freezing the funds for a review. More than $5 billion in other federal education funding remains undistributed.
Fort Worth ISD leaders were to maintain after-school initiatives if the district lost the $1.7 million in federal funds, Superintendent Karen Molinar said during a July 22 board meeting.
鈥淲e do want to celebrate that part of the funding,鈥� Molinar said.
Molinar has made of her strategy to turnaround the district鈥檚 poor academic performance.
The Fort Worth, Crowley and Castleberry districts received more than $5.6 million in combined after-school funding. Only districts and campuses with at least 40% of students from low-income families are eligible for the funds, according to the Texas Education Agency.
The Education Department released the money after sent a letter of more than $6 billion targeted for schools. Federal officials delayed distributing the dollars as part of an of education funding.
鈥淲e share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds,鈥� the senators wrote.
More than $17 million for other needs remain delayed for Fort Worth-area districts.
Fort Worth ISD has 88 positions tied to the federal dollars, officials said. mental health, college counseling and mentoring programs.
鈥淚f we鈥檙e not going to have this funding any longer, then we need to start thinking differently,鈥� Molinar told the school board.
Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or .
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