By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey schools will soon see $158 million in federal education funding restored after a legal challenge forced the U.S. Department of Education to release money that had been abruptly frozen earlier this summer.
The decision comes after Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin joined a multi-state coalition in suing the Trump Administration over what they described as an unlawful and harmful freeze on funding critical to afterschool care, summer programs, teacher training, and support for English learners and students with special needs.
“From the beginning, we made it clear that the President’s attempt to freeze $158 million in essential education funding was unlawful and harmful to New Jersey’s schools,” Platkin said in a statement.
“Under the weight of our lawsuit, the Administration has backed down. We will continue to fight for New Jersey families and protect them from reckless and illegal funding cuts.”
The funding freeze, announced on June 30, disrupted six long-standing federal programs that have supported teacher development, community learning centers, special education, and adult workforce training.
In New Jersey, the freeze left many summer learning programs without immediate resources.
On July 14, Platkin joined 23 attorneys general and two states in filing a lawsuit arguing the move violated federal law, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.
According to information sent by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, this legal action not only restored the $158 million but also reinforced ongoing efforts to defend the state’s schools against unlawful funding cuts. 
Platkin’s office has successfully challenged similar federal actions in the past, securing millions in funding for programs that support students and educators statewide.