North Carolina Sues Trump Administration Over Withheld Public-School Funding

GOVERNMENT

Chapel Hill, NC – North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced on December 31st that his office will sue the Department of Education over $50 million in funding for public schools. The budget was allotted in 2023 and was set to span five years.

The Department of Education notified North Carolina on December 18th that schools in the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition would lose approved funding. These funds aid roughly 23,000 students in poor and rural communities.

This includes schools in Orange and Durham counties. In Durham County, those schools are Club Boulevard Elementary, Fayetteville St. Elementary, and Lakewood Elementary. In Orange County, New Hope Elementary and Central Elementary are among the schools impacted by this funding.

Funding was allotted in 2023 for “community schools.” These schools provide comprehensive care for students through social work initiatives. The budget was allocated through the Federal Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) program in 2023. The funds from this program have already been used or are planned for use. Teachers and budget decisions were made based on this funding.

Jackson made his opinion clear in a press release from the North Carolina Department of Justice, saying:

“Our kids deserve better. A surprise cut of nearly $50 million from rural schools, with virtually no notice and no allegation of misuse, is unlawful and harmful. The Department of Education approved these programs, allowed schools to build them, and now it’s trying to pull the rug out from under dozens of rural communities. Our students shouldn’t be treated like that, and we’re going to court to protect them.”

According to the coalition’s website, the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition’s recent impact includes helping almost 1,200 people with food, clothing, transportation, housing, and hurricane relief. They also state that their educational method has reduced absences, disciplinary incidents, and out-of-school suspension days.

The impact is broad, with 46 schools in 28 school districts across the state benefiting from this program. Funding from this initiative was used to help students recovering from Hurricane Helene in places like Buncombe County. That county and Asheville were affected by Helene, and this funding was used to help communities in need. The program has provisions for such situations and was within the legal use of funds.

Graph showing where community schools exist or are proposed. Photo courtesy of the NC Department of Justice.

Jackson’s complaint against the Trump Administration claims there was not ample reason given for these cuts, nor was it given on an appropriate timeline. He is joining Maryland and the District of Columbia, who were also affected, in asking the courts for an injunction. This would pause cancellation efforts until a later date so staffing would not be affected in 2026.

To revoke these funds, cancellation must be based only on performance data. The complaint details how the administration provided little explanation beyond that the funding not align with its priorities.

North Carolina Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, a Democrat who represents parts of Orange and Durham counties, commented saying,

“Trump’s decision to cancel millions of dollars in congressionally approved funding for rural and low-income schools is a direct blow to the students, educators, and communities that need support the most, … and I’m grateful that Attorney General Jackson is leading the fight to restore these vital funds to our communities.”

This is not the first time Jackson has gone toe-to-toe with the current administration over funding issues.

On December 29th he won a $17 million lawsuit over funds allotted by Congress for emergency management after Hurricane Helene. FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security tried to withhold funds by adjusting grant terms after Congress had set the terms.

A major theme of the Trump administration has been cuts to many welfare programs, and this aligns with those themes.

Jackson and his team will return to court to fight the government over its handling of grants, just days after winning the last case.

Thomas Hicks is a journalist with video, PR, and writing experience who studied at UNC and the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Thomas is always looking for work and the next story! He loves working with his camera or with his pen. This reporter can be contacted at thomasjhicks55@gmail.com, LinkedIn: Thomas Hicks and X: ThomasJ_H