(Pierre, SD) — More than 25-million dollars in federal grant money for South Dakota schools is on hold, and educators say students will feel the impact. The freeze affects programs like after-school care, migrant education, and support for English-language learners. In Sioux Falls alone, the district could lose three-and-a-half million dollars, putting over 100 after-school spots and about 25 staff positions at risk. The South Dakota Education Association says these dollars are already appropriated and vital for helping students, especially those from low-income families. School leaders are urging the federal government to release the funds, warning that delays could mean fewer services and fewer opportunities for kids.
