Santa Cruz County schools face $10 Million funding freeze by Trump administration

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) –Federal education funds that Santa Cruz County schools were relying on have been suddenly frozen, putting key programs at risk.

The Trump administration’s nationwide budget freeze is threatening $10 million intended to support migrant education, English learners, and afterschool care.

“It is a shock to hear that the program will be cut,” Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah said. “These funds help students to be successful in school and to pursue their higher academic goals and career opportunities. And so losing these funds is really detrimental to their possibilities of success.”

Among those potentially hit hardest is the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which runs one of the largest migrant education programs in the state. Sabbah called the cuts “sad and devastating” and urged decision-makers to consider the impact on students.

“It’s going to be affecting several of our school districts across the county. And it’s something that is going to make it more difficult for us to be able to provide these services,” Sabbah said.

Local officials say the cuts violate the law and could force districts to scale back or eliminate vital programs.

“We are advocating with our state representatives and our federal representatives against these cuts,” Sabbah said. “We’re also supporting our state representatives that are participating in litigation against the federal government, because we believe that this was improper and illegal.”

More than three million dollars of the withheld funds were meant to fully cover the migrant education program, while the remainder supports afterschool programs. Sabbah emphasized how weakening these safety nets will harm students.

“By weakening these safety nets, we’re making it more difficult and more challenging for those students to be successful in our schools and beyond,” Sabbah said.

Community members expressed concern over the sudden freeze.

“We’re working together to figure out how we’re going to be able to continue to provide these necessary services without these resources that we’ve been able to rely on for over 70 years,” said Sandra, who lives in Watsonville.

Officials say these programs have changed lives, and they are working with state and federal lawmakers to fight the freeze and consider legal action.

“These programs make a difference, and we need to protect them, because we need to make sure that our students are receiving all the support they need to be successful,” Sabbah said.

Sandra added, “I know older students do take advantage of getting their, you know, earning credits and also earning money and experience.”

School officials say they’re working with the state and federal lawmakers to fight the freeze and possibly take legal action.