Nevada Joins Lawsuit Over Education Funding Freeze

Students in a Nevada classroom participate in learning activities essential for their educational development.

News Summary

Nevada has aligned with a bipartisan coalition to sue the Trump administration over the freezing of over $61 million in federal education funds. This funding is vital for numerous programs, including support for educators and English-language learners. The funding freeze, part of a larger federal action affecting $7 billion nationwide, has raised concerns among state officials about its impact on vulnerable student populations. With schools facing budget shortfalls, there are calls for urgent action to release these funds and maintain educational quality for all Nevada students.

Las Vegas, Nevada — The state of Nevada has joined a bipartisan coalition of states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the freezing of over $61 million in federal education funding. This freeze is set to significantly impact schools throughout Nevada, as these funds are critical for various essential programs.

The frozen funds were scheduled to support a range of educational initiatives, including professional development for educators, before- and after-school programs, support for English-language learners, and adult education services. The funding suspension comes as part of a broader action affecting $7 billion in federal funds nationwide, which was initially approved by Congress and President Trump in March 2025.

The U.S. Department of Education announced the freeze on June 30, just days before the beginning of Nevada’s new fiscal year, leading to growing concerns among educators, lawmakers, and advocates for students. The timing of the announcement has been criticized for its potential to jeopardize essential support for vulnerable student populations.

In response to the funding freeze, Nevada’s Governor and the state Legislature recently passed a minimal increase in per-pupil funding—just $2—which compounds the existing budget shortfalls faced by many schools. Education leaders have expressed their alarm at this development, emphasizing the burden placed on schools as they approach the start of the new academic year without access to critical funds.

The Nevada Department of Education is actively seeking clarification from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the status of the frozen funding. The specific allocations of the frozen funds include:

$60,514 for tutoring and support services aimed at migrant children
$846,592 for adult education and English language development
$7.3 million for general adult education services
$12.3 million for before- and after-school programs targeted at low-performing schools
$12.9 million allocated for professional development and family engagement initiatives for English-language learners
$19.6 million set aside for professional learning opportunities for educators

There are increasing concerns that districts may not receive these grant funds before their expiration date of September 30, 2026, potentially leaving schools without the resources they need to address their students’ needs. The lack of funds threatens to result in potential budget cuts that could negatively impact educator salaries, vendor contracts, and eventually the quality of educational resources available in Nevada.

Democratic leaders in the state have voiced heightened alarm over the freeze, with Attorney General Aaron Ford characterizing it as unconstitutional and describing it as a direct attack on education. U.S. Senators from Nevada have actively urged the release of these vital funds, highlighting their essential role in mitigating widening learning gaps exacerbated by recent educational challenges.

Public education initiatives in Nevada cater to a diverse student population, including a substantial percentage of English learners, making access to federal funding even more critical. The funding freeze has seen bipartisan backlash, with support from 32 Senate Democrats alongside Nevada’s congressional delegation advocating for swift action to resolve the situation.

The circumstances surrounding this funding freeze raise significant concerns about its long-term impacts on Nevada’s educational landscape and, most acutely, on its most vulnerable students.