Thousands of Jeffco students could lose access to language support, counseling and community-based services this school year after the U.S. Department of Education froze key federal funding streams with little warning.
The decision puts approximately $3 million in planned programming at risk, district leaders said.
Superintendent Tracy Dorland and the Jefferson County school board called the move “late and unexpected,” warning that the district had already budgeted the funds for professional development, English learner support, student engagement and family outreach.
“Failure to release these funds creates significant impacts on our student programming at a time when Jeffco is already drawing on reserves and preparing for substantial reductions in FY 27,” a district spokesperson said.
Because of federal supplanting rules, the district is legally barred from using its general fund to fill the gap, even if the federal funding is restored later.
A district already under strain
Even before the freeze, the district was grappling with a $60 million structural deficit heading into the 2025–26 school year. Despite closing 21 schools and making $20 million in cuts since 2021, the district still faces mounting cost pressures tied to inflation, compensation increases and growing special education needs.
Enrollment declines are expected to further impact funding, with a projected loss of 800 students per year in both 2026–27 and 2027–28. Because Colorado ties K–12 funding to student count, that drop will lead to additional revenue loss and potential staffing reductions.
Colorado ranks 43rd in the nation for per-pupil education funding, a reality that leaves districts like Jeffco especially vulnerable to sudden shifts in federal support.
Core student supports now at risk
The programs impacted by the freeze are central to Jeffco’s efforts to support its diverse and increasingly high-needs student population.
In an internal message to staff obtained by the Colorado Trust for Local News, Dorland said the now-frozen funding had been budgeted to cover educator coaching, English as a Second Language and newcomer services, dropout prevention, truancy interventions and community outreach programs.
Dorland called the situation “deeply challenging,” noting in the email that the frozen funds had been budgeted for “essential student services and educator support.”
“If the funds are not released in the next month, we will be forced to reduce or eliminate some programming that was budgeted and planned for this year,” she said.
Jeffco currently serves more than 4,700 English learners, about 6.4% of its total enrollment, according to data from the Colorado Department of Education.
Dorland noted that the district is seeing an increase in newcomer students, many of whom face language barriers and require both academic and emotional support to thrive.
The Title III funds now frozen are intended to help districts meet those needs.
Title I funding, which is used to support schools with high poverty rates, is not affected by the freeze.
But the complementary services funded through Titles II, III, and IV are now in jeopardy, which undermines Jeffco’s capacity to provide wraparound supports that help keep students in school and engaged.
“We are also seeking community partners to help fill critical service gaps, especially for the students and families who rely most on these important services,” Dorland said.
Advocacy and uncertainty
In her message to staff, Dorland described the funding freeze as “a deeply challenging situation that we did not create and cannot fully control,” but said Jeffco was taking action on multiple fronts.
The district is actively advocating for the immediate release of the funds.
Dorland and the board of education added their names to the Joint Statement From Colorado Education Stakeholders on Withholding of Federal Funds, calling on the U.S. Department of Education to immediately release these congressionally appropriated funds and provide clear, public guidance to state and local education systems.
At the same time, district leaders are reviewing 2025 carryover funds and evaluating the feasibility of continuing some programs temporarily.
Staffing decisions will follow established collective bargaining agreements, with impacted employees prioritized for reassignment wherever possible.
“Above all, we remain focused on protecting the student experience and minimizing disruption wherever possible,” Dorland said.
With the school year weeks away and no clear federal guidance, Jeffco faces tough choices, district leaders said. They are urging families and community partners to stay informed and, where possible, help advocate for the release of the frozen funds.