When the Trump administration announced this week it was freezing over $70 million in education funding earmarked for Oklahoma, it surprised a lot of administrators.

Eufaula School Superintendent Monty Guthrie was among them.

“Oh, yeah,” Guthrie said Monday as he discussed the issue that, if implemented, will cost his district more than $300,000 in funding.

The state’s impending loss is part of $6.8 billion in federal funds nationwide.

The money is designated for a wide variety of programs.

The $300,000 has been used in past years for the school’s Beacon Program, an afterschool learning program for students.

Another $57.000 is on the chopping block for a Title II program, money used for teacher and staff development.

Also, $40,000 is at risk for a Title V program, which is for, among other things, children and youth with speech health care needs.

That is a $397,000 shortfall in next year’s budget, if the Trump administration can’t be convinced to change its mind.

“Congress has already appropriated the funds,” Guthrie said. “But the executive branch has decided at this point it may or may not send the money to us.”

The funding for these programs goes primarily to financially needy districts, those in poverty.

“The schools that are being impacted are the ones who are the most needy. Every one of these programs are funded based on being economically disadvantaged, in one way or another.

“So, without a doubt, the schools that have the greatest need will be taking the biggest hit.”

The red states that voted Republican are being hit the hardest by the edict. Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, New Mexico, among others. These are the states that are going to feel the great impact, Guthrie said.

The funding issue will be the topic of future school board meetings, though not next week.

Eufaula’s Beacon program has been a popular one for years, typically attracting around 180 students. The federal funds have allowed the school district to provide the services free to low-income families.

The district has already earmarked funding for the program, but with the latest word from the Trump administration plans will have to be made for all contingencies.

“We are making plans for the school without the afterschool program and plans for one with the program. It’s easier to go ahead and plan and get everything in place and then cancel than it is to try to put everything in place at the last minute.

“So we’re working on two paths right now, two budgets. One would include the beacon program and one would not. If those funds are available, we will certainly be offering that program. We will wait till the last possible minute to make a decision to cancel,” Guthrie said.

He said he hopes politicians and others will speak out against the budget cuts.

“Now it’s a matter of talking to our senators and Congressmen to see if they can talk to the White House.”

He’s hoping for the best.

“There’s just too many kids that benefit,” he said.

One of the benefits, aside from education, is that it provides a safe environment for latchkey kids whose parents work and aren’t home when the students arrive.

“It really creates a situation for our younger set of latchkey kids that are really having to take care of themselves till mom and dad get home from work.”

Administrators are holding their breath about possible future cuts to other programs.

“The majority of our extensive special ed services are paid for through federal dollars,” he said. “And then there are our remediation specialists and all of those are typically paid through Title I. So, it would be a huge hit. You’re looking at a little over $1 million dollars.”

The money for Beacon comes from the federal government on a reimbursement basis – the school pays for the program in good faith that the government will pay them back.

That faith is currently being shaken.

Eufaula could be hit Eufaula Public Schools in eastern Oklahoma receives $300,000 from this program to fund its after-school care and summer learning, Superintendent Monty Guthrie said.

The district also receives about $50,000 for teacher recruitment and professional development from Title II, also known as “supporting effective instruction.” Teacher development needs have become more expensive, Guthrie said, as emergency certified educators and uncertified adjunct teachers become more common in Oklahoma.

Federal money for after-care programs allows Eufaula schools to provide these services for free to low-income families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to pay, Guthrie said. About 180 students participate throughout the school year.

These programs are a “huge, huge plus,” he said, especially in rural towns that have few other childcare options.

Eufaula schools would need to receive federal funds by November for the program to be financially viable this school year, Guthrie said. Otherwise, the district would have to discontinue the services, “which would be very difficult for our families.”