Sen. Slap Slams Trump Administration Freezing Nearly $1M for Local Schools

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Derek Slap slammed the Trump administration for withholding nearly $1 million dollars from Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford Schools.

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:

Bloomfield: $398,578
Farmington: $152,733
Region 10: $36,774
West Hartford: $393,987
Total Funding Loss: $982,072

“This year my colleagues and I delivered a budget that provided millions more in education funding, particularly special education funding,” said Sen. Slap. “We take much pride in our schools and the high quality of education they offer, while also recognizing the significant burden on local taxpayers. The illegal actions of Trump administration is in direct conflict with the progress we have made. Between this funding freeze and a federal budget bill that kicks the most vulnerable off their healthcare and food assistance programs – our state simply cannot afford to mitigate all of the effects of a hostile federal partner.”

This legislative session, the state legislature passed a budget that prioritized municipal aid and local schools. The state budget delivered Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford over $9.8 million in municipal aid over the next two years, including $2.65 million in each year for Education Cost Sharing (ECS). Additionally, local schools are set to receive nearly $1 million in Special Education and Expansion Development (SEED) grants over the next two years.

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 which serve as a lifeline for working families, academic enrichment, adult education and educator training