The state Department of Justice said many of the affected schools are in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson filed a lawsuit this week against the U.S. Department of Education over the termination of nearly $50 million in federal grants supporting public schools across the state.
The funding, awarded through the federal Full-Service Community Schools program, supports approximately 23,000 students in mostly rural and low-income communities. Many of the affected schools are in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The Education Department notified North Carolina on Dec. 12 that the grants would be terminated effective Dec. 31. The lawsuit alleges the cuts will force schools to shut down programs and potentially lay off staff midway through the academic year.
“Our kids deserve better,” Jackson said in a statement. “A surprise cut of nearly $50 million from rural schools, with virtually no notice and no allegation of misuse, is unlawful and harmful.”
The Education Department awarded more than $49.8 million in 2023 to the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition, which includes the state Department of Public Instruction. The five-year program was designed to serve 55 schools across 18 public school districts.
Congress authorized the Full-Service Community Schools program through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act to support schools in communities with high poverty, poor health outcomes and lower educational attainment.
The grants fund expanded learning opportunities, early childhood education, literacy initiatives, family programming and college and career exposure opportunities. Schools also use the funding to address adverse childhood experiences affecting student development.
After Hurricane Helene, schools used the funds to help families secure temporary housing and transportation so students could remain in school.
Jackson said the Education Department reviewed and approved the funding plans when the grants were awarded. Under federal law, multi-year grants can only be terminated for performance-based reasons, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges the Education Department’s actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act, federal education regulations and the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress authority over federal spending.
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