Funding restored for now
The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday it would release previously withheld federal K–12 education funds, but for La Conner Schools, the July 1 funding freeze had already left its mark.
In a letter to the school community Tuesday, Superintendent Dave Cram and Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Clothier said the district’s federally funded programs are back on for the 2025–26 school year. The restored funding will keep the Braves’ Hub after-school program, Brave Beginnings preschool, and migrant and multilingual learner programs running, at least for this year.
“We are grateful the funds have been released,” Cram and Clothier wrote, “but the money is only good for this year.” They added that the district remains cautious about future budget uncertainties.
“This is a welcome change in direction,” Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Superintendent Chris Reykdal said in an email statement to state educators on Friday.
Real-time planning in chaos
The abrupt loss of $650,000 on July 1 forced the district to notify parents of staffing and program cuts just weeks before school was set to begin. Braves’ Hub, a free after-school program serving 35–45 students daily, was among those slated to close. Staff members in eliminated positions were offered their jobs back once funding was restored.
But with no known precedent — and no clearly defined process — the district is planning in real time while trying to limit the chaos for students, families, and staff.
“We’re still in the process of talking with our Braves’ Hub staff to determine if they are all going to come back,” Clothier said. “We expect the services and the program to be the same.”
Some staffing shifts are already underway. Braves’ Hub coordinator Ryan Patrick accepted a job outside the district. Juliene Wall, originally appointed to lead the new Brave Beginnings preschool, has moved into a kindergarten teacher role. The district is now seeking a replacement to teach the preschool program.
“We’re giving information as quickly as we’re getting it, we appreciate the community’s patience as we work through all of these challenges,” Clothier said.
Children caught in the middle
Districts nationwide were blindsided when the Department of Education delayed $6.8 billion in federal grants a day before scheduled disbursements, citing a review with no timeline. Washington and 23 other states, along with the District of Columbia, filed a federal lawsuit calling the delay unlawful.
The sudden funding reversal disrupted more than the district’s budget. In a statement published by OSPI Reykdal called the freeze “unnecessary and harmful,” saying the weeks of uncertainty left districts with little time to plan and jeopardized programs for vulnerable students.
“Parents are scrambling, staff are stressed, and kids are caught in the middle,” said La Conner Middle School teacher and parent Crista Landworth. “That kind of uncertainty isn’t just inconvenient, it’s harmful.”
Parent Sky Stewart said the timing created chaos. “I have to plan for the worst, not for the best, unfortunately,” she said. “Summer is shrinking rapidly. There’s not a lot of time to figure it out.”
Budget approved, questions remain
OSPI spokesperson Katie Hannig said districts that made cuts can revise their budgets before school starts — or later, if they adjust their revenue or spending assumptions.
She said OSPI will review the grant once the official award notification is received. After approval, districts must submit applications and budgets, meet program requirements, and can begin claiming funds.
Hannig added that the Department of Education reminded states the funds are subject to federal civil rights laws.
On Monday, the La Conner School Board approved the district’s $13.3 million budget for 2025–26, which now includes the restored federal funding.
Staci Baird is the managing editor of La Conner Community News.
