Caught in the crossfire: Kids left behind by federal budget battles
La Conner Elementary School
A federal funding freeze leaves La Conner families scrambling as vital school programs face uncertain futures this fall.
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Summer has yet to peak, and yet more than a hundred La Conner students and their families are bracing for a school year without the support they’ve come to count on.
A surprise freeze on federal education funds effectively wiped $650,000 from La Conner School District’s 2025-2026 budget. With only five weeks until the new school year, school officials, parents, and students are facing a new reality where migrant and multilingual learners — about 24% of the district’s enrollment — no longer have specialists to bridge the gap between language and learning.
A last-minute funding release for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant by the administration on Monday may help save the free after-school program and a new preschool — but their futures are still uncertain.
“This isn’t just a parent issue. This isn’t just a kid issue,” said Sky Stewart, who relies on after school programs for her La Conner Elementary School second-grader. “This is a community issue and small communities are dying everywhere because we can’t support education.”
How promised funds got stuck
What started as a normal budgeting process this spring has turned into a collision between rural vulnerability and the federal administration’s sweeping realignment.
In March, Congress approved funding for federal education grants, and school districts — including La Conner — built their budgets accordingly.
But on July 1, just one day before the scheduled disbursement, the U.S. Department of Education announced it was delaying $6.8 billion across seven programs, citing a review process with no timeline.
“We are all connected. What impacts our family and our youth impacts us all.”
Sky Stewart
On July 14, Washington and 23 other states, along with the District of Columbia, filed a federal lawsuit, calling the delay unlawful.
Then, late last week, the administration announced it would release a portion of the funding Monday. The administration released the funds with the condition they support “allowable activities” and comply with all applicable laws. OSPI reports La Conner will receive its $462,101 21st Century funds — in September.
Local leaders, including U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, criticized the delays.
“This reckless decision undermines the education of local kids and support for La Conner teachers,” Larsen said, adding that he and his colleagues are pressing the administration to release the funds so La Conner and other Washington communities “can get the support they deserve.”
Programs left in limbo
Despite the grant’s release, La Conner Schools lack official confirmation that they’ll receive the funds, and school officials expressed concern they may not meet new conditions. The grant pays for Braves’ Hub — La Conner’s free after-school program — as well as after-school activities and family engagement events such as literacy nights and Ag Day. It was also to fund Brave Beginnings, the district’s new free, full-day preschool.
Funds for other key programs remain frozen including:
Title I, Part C (Migrant Education) – $129,375 Supports academic success for migrant students.
Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction) – $21,313 Funds teacher development, recruitment, induction, and retention.
Title III, Part A (English Language Acquisition) – $19,202 Helps multilingual learners gain English proficiency and achieve academically.
Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment) – $21,066 Improves academic achievement by expanding access to well-rounded education, enhancing learning conditions, and increasing digital literacy.
Even without the remaining federal funds, districts must still meet state requirements, according to OSPI. It is requesting state funding to cover any remaining gaps.
Local impact
In a letter sent to parents Friday, La School District Superintendent Dave Cram announced staffing and program cuts for the next school year.
“We are incredibly sorry to lose so many of our staff who have provided incredible support and services for our students and the school community,” Cram wrote.
For parents like Stewart, the school year may now resemble summer — patching together disparate childcare options.
“Even if [funding] does come back, we are going to live in constant fear that it is going to be taken away again,” Stewart said. “I had to go to my employer this morning and tell them that I might have to ask to have my hours changed. We are all connected. What impacts our family and our youth impacts us all.”
