By Mack Callahan | Asking for a Friend | This Is Topeka
Well folks, grab your pencils and your pitchforks, because it turns out the U.S. Department of Education—now helmed by former wrestling executive Linda McMahon (yes, that Linda)—has decided that $6.8 billion in already-approved education funding is just too hot to handle.
That’s right. Congress handed out the money, school districts made plans, and kids started prepping for the fall. And then—on June 30, the day before states were set to get their checks—the Trump administration hit pause. Why? “Internal review.” That’s code for: “We don’t like how the last guys were running things, so now we’re just not gonna.”
Kansas alone is out $43 million. That’s nearly a year’s worth of books, busses, teacher prep, tech upgrades, and after-school programming for kids whose parents are just trying to work without worrying their kid is learning Fortnite strategies instead of fractions.
Governor Laura Kelly, joined by 16 other governors from states red and blue (but mostly blue, let’s be honest), signed a letter demanding that Secretary McMahon release the funds. The tone of the letter? Equal parts PTA mom who’s had it and high school civics teacher ready to go full filibuster.
Highlights include:
- $2.2 billion to help schools train and retain teachers? On hold.
- $1.4 billion for after-school programs? Blocked.
- $890 million for English language learners? Nope.
- $375 million for migrant student support? Guess again.
- $715 million for adult education and workforce readiness? Sorry, GED-seekers—try next life.
Schools were told the money was coming July 1. Instead, what they got was a bureaucratic ghosting that left budgets shredded, hiring frozen, and program directors Googling “can hope be used as currency?”
Here in Kansas, it’s a gut punch. Rural schools—already scraping by—depend on this flexible federal funding. Without it, we’re looking at postponed hires, slashed programs, and educators trying to do everything short of walking on water to make it work.
To be clear: This isn’t Congress saying “no.” Congress said yes. This is executive branch musical chairs, where kids are the ones left without a seat.
Governor Kelly said it best: “This funding is essential… especially in rural areas.” Then she added what many were thinking: “The Trump administration’s failure to release Congressionally appropriated funds undermines our shared responsibility to provide every student with a world-class education.”
Translation? This isn’t just policy—it’s a sucker punch to the American classroom.
So here’s my question: If the Department of Education can ignore Congress, delay funding, and leave states scrambling, what exactly are they educating us on?
Because from where I’m sitting, the only lesson being taught is “never trust a wrestler to run your report card.”
—Mack
