Catawba County Schools faces nearly $1M in federal funding delays

NEWTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — On June 30, the U.S. Department of Education announced a pause in releasing federal education funds for the upcoming school year. As a result, school districts across the country, including those in North Carolina, did not receive the expected funding on July 1.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the federal review is delaying access to more than $168 million in grant programs that support students and educators, including:

• Title I, Part C – Education of Migratory Children
• Title II, Part A – Supporting Effective Instruction
• Title III, Part A – English Language Acquisition
• Title IV, Part A – Student Support and Academic Enrichment
• Title IV, Part B – 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Catawba County Schools was notified that it may lose access to nearly $1 million in federal funding. These funds help cover:

• Instructional coaches
• Support for beginning teachers (substitutes, mentor stipends, PD)
• LEP services (3 teaching assistants, 1 lead teacher)
• Districtwide professional development
• Recruiting efforts and educator reimbursements
• Instructional software and compliance tools

We’re treating this seriously but not passively. These funds are vital to our day-to-day work—supporting students, teachers, and innovative instruction. We’re responding with urgency and purpose, focused on protecting our staff and programs while staying flexible.
Dr. Matt Stover, Superintendent of Catawba County Schools

Last week, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced it was at risk of losing more than $12 million in “critical funds” stemming from the federal pause.