Trump Administration Withholds $36M from NYC Schools Over Trans Policies
The Trump administration plans to withhold up to $36 million in funding for New York City’s magnet schools, following the city’s refusal to comply with new federal policies regarding transgender students. The decision, which could lead to significant cutbacks in educational programs, is set to take effect as early as next week.
According to the U.S. Education Department, New York City’s guidelines surrounding school bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports facilities do not align with federal sex-based discrimination laws. The funding in question includes $15 million designated for the upcoming fiscal year and is part of multiyear grants benefiting approximately 8,500 students currently enrolled in specialized programs.
New York City education officials requested additional time to assess their options and questioned the relevance of transgender policies to magnet schools, as initially reported by the Daily News. While the federal government granted a brief extension until September 19, 2023, it did not fulfill the request for a full month.
Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the city’s public schools, expressed concern over the potential impact of the funding cut, stating, “Cutting this funding — which invests in specialized curricula, afterschool education, and summer learning — harms not only the approximately 8,500 students this program currently benefits, but all of our students from underserved communities.” She emphasized that the loss of these funds could result in canceled courses and reduced enrichment opportunities, which would be detrimental to the city’s educational landscape.
Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for re-election, indicated a willingness to revise policies if he had the authority to do so. His schools chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, affirmed the importance of upholding existing guidelines as a reflection of the city’s values. Both officials noted that the ultimate authority to amend these rules rests with state legislation that protects the rights of transgender students to use facilities consistent with their gender identity.
In a statement, Julie Hartman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Education Department, emphasized that the agency would not approve compliance regarding civil rights for New York City schools. The department accused the city, as well as school districts in Chicago and Fairfax County, Virginia, of discrimination on the basis of sex and race. Without proper certification, New York will be ineligible for funding starting on October 1, 2023.
“These are public schools, funded by hardworking American families, and parents have every right to expect an excellent education — not ideological indoctrination masquerading as ‘inclusive’ policy,” Hartman stated. She added that if city officials choose to risk federal funding to continue their current policies, that decision is theirs alone.
The situation has sparked political tensions, with Mayor Adams leveraging the issue to challenge his opponents, including mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani. Adams implied that current policies could allow biological boys to share facilities with cisgender girls, framing the debate within a broader context of political ideology. Mamdani has countered by accusing Adams of echoing the “transphobic bigotry” of the Trump administration.
As the deadline approaches, the implications of the funding cut are becoming increasingly apparent, raising concerns about the future of educational programs in New York City. The administration’s actions underscore the ongoing conflict between federal mandates and local governance regarding sensitive issues such as transgender rights in education.
