Feds reverse course, restore $107 million for Kansas and Missouri public schools

Public schools in Kansas and Missouri are set to reclaim and receive more than $100 million in federal funding that the Trump administration had threatened to withhold for next school year.

The abrupt decision in late June to freeze nearly $7 billion in K-12 grant funding for schools across the country came as a surprise to district officials around Kansas City.

Much of the grant money, intended for a variety of programs ranging from after-school activities to English language instruction for non-native speakers, had already been committed to staff salaries and benefits before funds were frozen, officials previously told The Star.

“The Shawnee Mission School District is pleased to learn that the U.S. Department of Education has reversed its decision to withhold money previously allocated by Congress to support teacher recruitment and training, English language learners and migrant students, and students’ social/emotional well-being,” spokesperson David Smith said in a statement.

“We are deeply indebted to the many voices throughout our community who spoke up in support of our public schools.”

The restoration of funding comes after a rare bipartisan pressure campaign from lawmakers who pushed back against the politicization of the federal grant programs.

“Our school districts, especially as they are getting ready for a new school year, must be able to stay focused on preparing Kansas kids for their future,” said Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat. “I’m glad to see that the funds will be released, but that doesn’t absolve the administration from impounding the funds in the first place.”

The White House Office of Management and Budget asserted earlier this month that some schools were using federal dollars to advance “a radical left-wing agenda,” including promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and supporting immigrants in the country illegally.

Senior administration officials said Friday that “guardrails” had been installed to prevent state education departments and local districts from using the funding in violation of any of Trump’s executive orders or policies.

Kansas and Missouri schools

Angela Deines, a spokesperson for the Kansas State Department of Education, said none of the nearly $43 million withheld from Kansas schools had been transferred to the state for distribution to local districts as of Monday morning.

“We are not aware of any stipulations regarding how we spend these funds once we receive them,” Deines said in an email. “We will continue to follow all applicable state and federal laws.”

Missouri public schools are poised to receive more than $64 million in previously withheld funding, including $4.1 million already allocated for programs in Kansas City Public Schools.

The funding freeze threatened to deny KCPS of nearly $1 million for teacher development and retention, $800,000 for English language learning and immigrant support, and $950,000 for student support and academic enrichment.

It also imperiled $600,000 for adult education and literacy, $450,000 for Afghan refugee student services and $300,000 for broader refugee education programs, according to the district.

Across the border in Kansas City, Kansas, the public school system will now receive approximately $4.9 million in federal funding that it had been planning on.

That includes more than $2 million in funding for after-school programs, including KidZone, where students participate in enrichment and college preparation activities.

KCK schools will also receive as planned $855,000 for English language learning services and $580,000 that the district plans to spend on “student social-emotional supports, college and career opportunities.”

That’s in addition to $1 million for recruiting and retaining educators and $346,000 for helping support students whose parents work seasonal agriculture jobs.

According to district officials, Olathe and Shawnee Mission public schools will both have roughly $1 million in federal funding restored. Turner public schools anticipate receiving roughly $300,000, and Piper is in line to reclaim just over $78,000.

This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM.