State legislators call for the release of held-up education funds

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Democratic State Senator RaShaun Kemp calls for frozen federal funds for education to be released at a news conference Monday.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

Schools and after-school care programs in Georgia have still not received millions of dollars in federal grants they were promised for the upcoming school year. Students will return to the classroom in August and funds have been placed under review by the federal government.

State Sen. RaShaun Kemp, who works for an education nonprofit, said the frozen funds need to be released by the federal Department of Education before the school year starts, or Gov. Brian Kemp needs to call a special session to address the shortfall if the programs are cut altogether.

“This is not a partisan issue; this is a people issue," she said. "Georgia families can't wait. Georgia kids shouldn't be used as political pawns, and the future of 27,000 children is on the line." 

A spokesperson for the governor said there are no plans for a special session at this time.

Republican House Education Committee Chairman Chris Erwin said he also hopes to see at least some of the funds released. He said that the state needs to communicate to the federal government the need for programs that the state contributes funding to as well. But he said it is best to wait and see if a special session is needed. 

"Once we get back into school, there'll be an opportunity to assess if this is truly a need that we've got to address in a special session," he said.

State School Superintended Richard Woods has also called for the release of funds.