MDE appealing Trump Administration rescission of $137 million in education grants

Since every state's unspent pandemic recovery funds were frozen in late March, the Mississippi Department of Education has been compiling a list of impacted projects and justifications for each one for an appeal process that could see the funding restored. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans says the state met the May 9th deadline for submitting that information and are just waiting for a final decision.

“I just need a yes or no, you know as to what's happening,” Evans said. “That way we can make some decisions moving forward because I know that there's been conversations from a state legislative standpoint about how they might help navigate some of that. They need those answers as well.”

MDE and local districts have already paid contractors tens of millions of dollars for grant-eligible construction projects because they expected to be reimbursed by the federal government. 

Evans and other MDE executives met with federal education officials Wednesday, and were asked for further clarification on some materials the state submitted. Evans says no timeline was given for a final decision, but he's cautiously optimistic the issue will be resolved soon.,

“I have no reason to think that they don't understand the importance of it and also the expedience in which it needs to move forward,” Evans said.

At least 66 Mississippi school districts were affected by the freeze. The funds were being spent on things like tutoring programs and much-needed facility improvements like new air conditioning systems.