Proposed federal spending reductions and delays in budget planning are causing uncertainty for school districts, including those in Silicon Valley. Local leaders and educators voiced concerns over how potential cuts could affect vulnerable students and lead to teacher losses.
Congressmember Sam Liccardo and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark joined Campbell Union School District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez at Rosemary Elementary School last month. They spoke against proposed cuts impacting special education and Title I funding, which supports districts with high percentages of low-income students.
For the Campbell Union School District, approximately 9% of its budget comes from the federal government, including $830,000 from Title I. At Rosemary Elementary, federal dollars make up about 34% of the budget, aiding English language learners and students with disabilities. The district's special education budget is $26 million.
District officials noted that losing federal funds could impact the general budget and necessitate cuts to services or staff. Bay Area school districts face deadline on DEI policies following a recent federal deadline, highlighting the range of programs tied to federal money.
Nationally, the Trump administration has not yet released key spending documents detailing plans for funds already allocated by Congress for the current fiscal year or a budget proposal for the upcoming year. This delay leaves educators uncertain about the future of K-12 funding.
Specific programs without allocated dollar amounts in the current continuing resolution, such as Title II grants for instructional improvement, McKinney-Vento funding for homeless students, and grants for migrant education, could be at risk. The administration’s stated goal is to return education to the states, potentially consolidating federal funds or eliminating programs.
Concerns extend to the statewide level, with the California Teachers Association noting that cuts could affect hundreds of thousands of students relying on free lunch programs and impact teacher training grants. Democratic leaders tour South Bay schools as part of efforts to highlight the potential consequences.
While specific proposals remain pending, leaked drafts for other agencies suggest the administration is considering eliminating programs like Head Start. Trump’s Spending Plans Are Late—Raising Worries About K-12 Funds across the country, fueling concerns about the impact on federal funding for schools.