Nearly $6.8 billion dollars in federal education grants was frozen by the Trump administration. And $400 million is being withheld from Florida schools.

What You Need To Know

– $9 million in federal grants has been withheld from Pinellas County Schools 
– The school district hosted a community forum on July 24, 2025 to hear from concerned families
– The district said some programs are at risk
– This school year no jobs or salaries are impacted, but that is expected to change for the 2026-2027 school year

On July 24, 2025, the Pinellas County School District answered questions from the community about how it’s dealing with millions of dollars in funding being withheld.

There was a large turnout at the forum, with 200 people in the room and an additional 1000 in the overflow room. Plus, 850 people tuned in online to hear about how the district is dealing with the freeze of millions of dollars.

There was not a seat left in the as Pinellas County School families looked for answers about the funding freeze.

“I’m a mom that fights. So if I can go and protest by card, or if I can protest without a card just by voice, then I’m going to fight either way I have to,” said Brittnie Blunt, parent.

Blunt and her two middle schoolers wore signs to get the attention of the school board.

“So we’re here in protest to try to keep things going, to make sure that all the programs that they are in, will hopefully stay in,” Blunt said.

The school board said programs that enhance the middle school experience, increase professional learning for teacher retention, and provide enrichment in the arts, and more are at risk of changes or cuts.

The district said no one will lose their job, but about 40 people are employed through these grants, so their responsibilities will change for this school year. The district said salaries and positions will be impacted in 2026-2027.

“The reason we’re having this tonight is to advocate for the release of these funds, and to do so immediately so that school districts can move forward with their plans,” said Kevin Hendrick, Superintendent.

The U.S. Department of Education said it’s withholding the funds to make sure they align with President Donald Trump’s priorities. The superintendent said that’s reasonable, but the timing isn’t.

“The day before a fiscal year begins, when we’ve hired 47 people off of these grants into positions, is not a reasonable expectation,” Hendrick said.

Mental health services are also facing challenges. The juvenile welfare board, a taxpayer-funded organization aimed at helping children, is reallocating money so it can fund six therapists for the school district.

“Our mission has always been to, to create value and to ensure that the children of Pinellas County, that their education, their overall well-being is cared for,” said Michael Mikurak, Interim CEO, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County

As for the rest of the programs at risk, there is no timeline on when or if the money will be released.

“We may not want it, but a lot of children need it,” Blunt said.

Nearly $1 million dollars in funding for after school programs has been released.

Read the article as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/07/25/pinellas-county-schools-federal-funding

Gabriella Moran, a trained behavior analyst and classroom consultant for Directions for Living’s First Five program, is the latest KidsFirst Award Winner from the Juvenile Welfare Board.

Moran works one-on-one and in small groups with children who have experienced trauma. She helps little ones build emotional regulation, self-advocacy, and the confidence to stay in their classrooms and succeed.

She also works with families to reduce specific issues such as bedtime tantrums, successful family outings and supporting their child’s social-emotional growth.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_4942237d-e84d-4aa4-b05b-83136d52c64c.html

Leaders of two Tampa Bay area school districts have a big wish as they head toward budget public hearings next week.

They’d like the Trump administration to decide the fate of billions of dollars in federal grants that have been frozen since the beginning of July. The grants help pay for migrant education, teacher retention programs, English language instruction and academic enrichment.

“The piece that we’re all asking for is closure,” Pinellas County superintendent Kevin Hendrick said during a workshop Tuesday.

Pinellas County’s share of the grants is just under $9 million. Pasco County’s portion is just over $6 million.

Officials had anticipated the money would be largely gone by fall 2026, but not now. They contend not knowing whether it’s coming — the Trump administration is getting pressure from all sides to release the money — is making it hard to prepare for the new school year.

Students return to classes in less than three weeks. Yet districts don’t know whether they will have the ability to pay for dozens of employees who provide vital services such as support for English language learners and teacher training, some of which are required by federal law.

“There is some new information always developing,” Pasco County superintendent John Legg said Tuesday during his district’s workshop.

Both districts were about to cut positions in their after-school programs funded by one of the federal grants, for instance, until the Office of Management and Budget announced late Friday it would release that money.

Grant money for adult education programs also has begun arriving in district accounts, though at a reduced level from the initial allocation.

Knowing such details could change at any moment has led the districts to hold off announcing any major actions. They don’t want to create any more anxiety by threatening peoples’ jobs until they can’t avoid it.

“We’re trying to wait as long as we can,” Hendrick said. “These funds might be released tonight. They might not be released at all. … If we get all the funds tomorrow, obviously it’s a different conversation.”

Officials have started to review which positions and programs they must have, and which can be reduced or eliminated. And no decision is simple, because each move can impact employees and services in other areas.

“A lot of the positions are critical and only partially funded by the grants,” said Tammy Taylor, Pasco’s chief financial officer. “It’s not just something we can unilaterally cut.”

In Pasco, the federal money pays for 39 allocations, affecting 56 positions. In Pinellas, 47 jobs are covered with the funds.

If a position gets cut, the work doesn’t necessarily go away. It might be shifted to another department, budget and person, spreading the impact further.

To limit the potential fallout, Pinellas has decided to keep the grant money out of its budget plan until it arrives.

Hendrick and his team have mentioned a handful of moves on tap, such as the Juvenile Welfare Board’s offer to pay for six mental health therapists that had been funded by federal grants, but didn’t want to commit to many specifics until absolutely necessary.

School board members said they wanted more details about possible service reductions to make the effects clear to parents and residents ahead of a Thursday town hall meeting. Board member Katie Blaxberg stressed the need to have a story to tell as the district asks supporters to pressure federal government officials to release the money.

“It’s important for the public at large to see how these cuts are affecting their schools,” Blaxberg said.

The Pasco district is leaning in the other direction.

“We’re including everything in the budget,” Taylor said of the federal money. “If it needs to be amended when we get the award letters, we’ll amend it.”

Board member Al Hernandez said he supported that approach, reiterating concerns across the state that the uncertainty is the most problematic part.

“Who knows what we expect to get?” Hernandez mused.

The districts are scheduled to hold their first budget public hearings, at which they set their maximum tax rates, on July 29. Their final budget votes are set for September.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/07/23/pinellas-pasco-school-leaders-still-dark-federal-funding-freeze/

It may seem early, but the back-to-school buzz is in the air since Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas public schools all open their doors Aug. 11.

Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday runs Aug. 1-31 this year with sales tax withheld on learning aids and jigsaw puzzles ($30 or less), most school supplies ($50 or less), clothing, footwear and accessories ($100 or less), and computers and related accessories ($1,500 or less, for non-commercial use).

Here are some supply drives and back-to-school events coming up in the Tampa Bay area.

Free books: The Juvenile Welfare Board’s Summer Book Bus program is rolling through the area offering two free books to any kid who comes on board. From Tarpon Springs to south St. Petersburg, the JWB Book Bus will give away more than 10,000 brand-new books to 5,000 children in just 12 days. See jwbpinellas.org for the bus schedule.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2025/07/22/back-to-school-supply-drive-pinellas-hillsborough/

The Juvenile Welfare Board’s Summer Book Bus program invites parents and kids to hop aboard at any one of the more than 50 remaining stops to choose two free books.

A partnership with Pinellas County Schools, the JWB Summer Book Bus delivers free books to children in underserved neighborhoods across Pinellas County to combat summer learning loss. With stops at community sites from Tarpon Springs to South St. Petersburg, the JWB Book Bus will give away more than 10,000 brand-new books to 5,000 children in just 12 days.

Book Bus stops include public libraries, community recreation centers, neighborhood family centers, childcare centers, and more. For a list of sites, visit jwbpinellas.org.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_7ad05355-050b-43ab-b7fe-4b3298ac2534.html

Pinellas County school district officials must scramble to overcome the loss of $10.7 million in anticipated funding, with less than a month before nearly 100,000 students return to classrooms. 

The U.S. Department of Education announced June 30, a day before the start of the district’s fiscal year, that it was withholding over $6 billion in previously allocated public school funding. Roughly $9 million was earmarked for Pinellas County Schools (PCS), which unveiled its already tight budget June 24. 

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick told school board members Tuesday that the state subsequently withdrew $1.4 million in anticipated funding after accounting for students enrolled in public schools who mistakenly received vouchers. 

The district then lost $300,000 in state-distributed, federal Title I funding that supports programs and resources for students from low-income households. School Board Chair Laura Hine stressed the need for local, state and national advocates Wednesday. 

“Our schools impact everybody,” Hine told the Catalyst. “Whether you have kids in school now or you never have, they impact every part of our economy, every part of our community. So, the funding of our schools to achieve academic excellence is hugely important.” 

PCS has done its part, earning an overall “A” grade for the second consecutive year. The percentage of schools earning an “A” or “B” grade from the state jumped from 80% to 90% between 2024 and 2025. Hine said those and other metrics highlight a return on investment. 

Maintaining recent momentum could now prove more challenging. At the June 24 workshop, the board discussed potential future federal funding losses amid the presidential administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. 

However, Hine said she and her colleagues thought the 2025-26 budget was safe. “I was surprised.” 

“It’s not customary to have funds frozen less than a month from school, and once we’ve already started our fiscal year,” Hine added. “It has never happened before, that I’m aware of.” 

District officials unanimously expressed dismay Tuesday that the federal government would abruptly freeze congressionally approved funding. Conservative board member Stephanie Meyer said she, like her colleagues, would welcome the spending scrutiny in 2026. 

“To pull the rug out from under K-12 school districts across the country right before school starts is really very concerning to me,” Meyer said. “I think we need to take a step back and say, ‘Yes, these reviews need to be made … however, we need to move forward with this federal funding for this school year.’”

Meyer said she would lean on her relationships within the Florida Department of Education. She suggested that others reach out to federal officials with their shared concerns. 

Congresswoman Kathy Castor pressed U.S. Secretary of Education Lisa McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russel Vought in a letter Wednesday to release the funding immediately. She believes the presidential administration is “arbitrarily and illegally withholding congressionally-appropriated dollars without warning.” 

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, a staunch supporter of the president, has not released a statement on the federal funding freeze. Her recent social media posts focus on conspiracy theories and the rumored firing of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. 

Hine said the funding supports teacher training and retention, a program that helps middle school students transition into adolescence and mental health and social services, an “extraordinarily important aspect.” However, the district will “figure out how to do the things we know we have to do.” 

Hine also noted that the county’s congressional representatives “have done their job” by appropriating the money. She wants state leadership to advocate on the district’s behalf, “and then we do need to have a serious conversation on what funding looks like in the future, because it does impact student success.” 

“We’re tasked with doing threat management, no one else,” Hendrick said Tuesday. “Obviously, that’s going to continue in the school district, but something else … is going to need to be cut in order for that to continue at its current level.” 

Board members broached the idea of community fundraising to support at-risk initiatives. Hine, a longtime St. Petersburg resident, said Wednesday that there is “so much amazing philanthropy in this community, but our public schools have never asked.” 

District officials have already spoken with local organizations, including the Juvenile Welfare Board and Pinellas Education Foundation, about the funding freeze and associated impacts. PCS will host a community forum on the topic Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m. in its Administrative Building.

Hine said it would provide the public with an opportunity to understand the budget process and the district’s financial transparency. “If our funding model is changing, and we believe in these programs, and we believe they have an impact on kids, then we are going to have to ask for more help in the future,” she said.

“I would ask everybody, whether you have kids in school or not, to care about this.” 

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/federal-freeze-state-cuts-cost-pinellas-schools-10-7-million/

JWB Interim CEO Michael G. Mikurak will present on how JWB will support the Pinellas County School District in his report to the JWB Board at their meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM; CLICK HERE and navigate to the 7/24/25 Board Meeting to access the information packet.

Watch the video as originally published at https://www.wtsp.com/video/features/great-day-live/hop-on-board-the-jwb-summer-book-bus/67-5175d7d0-4c7c-41a5-aaba-1e48aa5e261a

Gulfport: Saturday, July 12

The Book Bus Hop aboard the Book Bus and grab a free read. Courtesy of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, this mobile book giveaway is rolling into town to hand out free books for kids and families. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. jwbpinellas.org, 727-893-1074.

See the article as originally published at https://thegabber.com/things-to-do-in-st-pete-gulfport-july-10-17/

Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay is hitting the road to bring support, resources, and connection straight to the heart of Pinellas County neighborhoods.

Thanks to generous funding from the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB), Seniors in Service is launching a brand-new outreach van and trailer and inviting the community to come celebrate at a special ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 10 at 11:00 a.m. at the Enoch Davis Center in St. Petersburg.

This new van and trailer will deliver literacy resources to children and families, recruit volunteers to make a difference in local schools, and provide hurricane preparedness and recovery resources to vulnerable senior communities.

“We are deeply grateful to the Juvenile Welfare Board for investing in this mobile solution,” said Robin Ingles, CEO of Seniors in Service. “This van is so much more than transportation. It enhances our services, allowing us to meet families where they are, bring support directly into neighborhoods, and ensure that no senior is left behind in the wake of a disaster.”

Join Seniors in Service volunteers, community partners, and local leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony, a tour of the new van and trailer, and learn more about how this mobile outreach initiative will drive positive impact across Pinellas County.

View the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/w/join-us-july-10-seniors-in-service-ribbon-cutting-for-new-outreach-van/

The Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) and its Summer Book Bus are on the road once again, spending three weeks delivering free books to children in underserved neighborhoods across Pinellas County to combat summer learning loss. A partnership with Pinellas County Schools, the JWB Summer Book Bus is scheduled to make more than 80 stops at community sites from Tarpon Springs to South St. Petersburg in July and will be giving away more than 10,000 brand-new books to 5,000 children. View the full list of stops here. 

Read the article as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/evening-briefing/2025/07/03/evening-briefing-tampa-july-3-2025