Sen. Lesser Slams Trump Administration for Withholding $1.4M from Local Schools

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser slammed the Trump administration for withholding nearly $1.4 million in federal education funding for Middletown, Cromwell, Wethersfield, Newington and Rocky Hill.

Late last month, the Trump Administration froze $6.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding for the 2025-26 school year. Connecticut schools are set to lose $53.6 million, 10% of their total federal education funding for the school year. Local schools will see significant funding cuts:

Middletown: $861,000
Cromwell: $56,837
Wethersfield: $152,183
Newington: $169,045
Rocky Hill: $128,350
Total Funding Loss: $1,367,419

Middletown will lose nearly $450,000 in before and after-school program funding, towns and cities across the state will see nearly $11 million in cuts to these critical programs. This funding freeze also impacts grants awarded to community organizations that receive grants to provide before and after-school services, like Boys & Girls Clubs, religious organizations and more. These programs are often life-lines for working families who’s work schedules don’t align with school start and end times.

“This administration’s ham fisted policies are a cruel shell game,” said Sen. Lesser. “They are unlawfully freezing vital special education and after school funds already allocated by Congress. This does not weed out ‘waste, fraud and abuse’ – it attacks our students while shifting costs to our local school districts, where local taxpayers will bear the brunt of these short-sighted and cruel policies.”

According to the Connecticut School and State Finance Project, the Trump administration froze several specific grants. The impounded funds largely support multi-language learners, before and after-school programs, academic enrichment, adult education and educator training: