Snohomish County school districts welcome release of $6B in federal money

Published 1:50 pm Monday, July 28, 2025

EVERETT — Snohomish County school districts see the surprise release of more than $6 billion in Department of Education funds nationwide as a “welcome decision,” school officials said.

On Friday, Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced the U.S. Department of Education will release $137 million to the state previously withheld “in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” according to messages sent to state education officials.

These messages were sent to all 50 states on June 30, a day before the congressionally approved $6 billion was scheduled to be allocated to state education agencies.

The Friday press release from the state superintendent’s office said the withheld funds were for migrant education, professional learning for educators, multilingual/English learners, before- and after-school programs and other programs that promote supplemental learning.

The withheld funds also impacted adult education programs supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, affecting learners pursuing English proficiency or high school diplomas at community colleges, public schools, libraries and correctional facilities, the State Attorney General’s office said on July 14. Washington’s State Board for Community and Technical Colleges estimates over $13 million in withheld funds for these programs.

In Snohomish County, the Marysville School District was set to receive $3.6 million, spokesperson Jeanie Lindsay said.

“The Marysville School District is not alone in utilizing federal Title funds to support student learning and essential programs,” Interim Marysville Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh said. “The release of these funds allows us to continue providing critical services that our students rely on to succeed, both in the classroom and beyond. These resources help fund interventions, academic supports, and programs that address opportunity gaps and promote equity.”

Marysville plans to use these funds to support migrant and multilingual students, before- and after-school programs and educators’ professional development.

“The district remains committed to using these funds responsibly and with a strong focus on improving academic outcomes for all students,” Rumbaugh said.

Everett Public Schools is “relieved the Department of Education decided to release this critical funding,” spokesperson Harmony Weinberg said.

The district was set to lose $1.6 million, she said.

The Mukilteo School District would have lost $1.3 million if the DOE had not released the funds, spokesperson Diane Bradford said.

In Lake Stevens, the school district will use their $411,000 in federal funding “as [they] have in the past; professional development for our staff, English language proficiency with students and before and after school programs,” spokesperson Jayme Taylor said.

The Stanwood-Camano School District expects $178,958 in released funding, including $108,587, which will support professional learning for teachers, spokesperson Evan Caldwell said.

“We’re still awaiting final guidance on the process and timeline for accessing the funds,” Caldwell said. “We’ll take the necessary steps to apply and ensure the funds are used in alignment with their intended purposes.” The school district is appreciative of any additional resources that “help us support student learning,” he said.

Soon after the State Superintendent’s press release, Rep. Rick Larsen responded.

“Kids deserve to have the support they need to learn, and teachers deserve to have the resources they need to do their jobs,” he said. “I am meeting with local school districts to hear about how budget cuts and layoffs at the Department of Education are impacting our communities.”

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray released her own response, saying that the states shouldn’t need to fight for funding Congress already delivered to help students.

“This administration deserves no credit for just barely averting a crisis they themselves set in motion,” she said. “You don’t thank a burglar for returning your cash after you’ve spent a month figuring out if you’d have to sell your house to make up the difference.”

Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay