Jackson Sues to Block "Unlawful" $50 Million Cut to Rural NC Schools
By Marge | Published 2026-01-01T17:25:03.428+00:00
News
North Carolina -- January 1, 2026: Attorney General Jeff Jackson has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, seeking to stop a sudden termination of nearly $50 million in federal funding earmarked for North Carolina public schools. The cuts, which took effect December 31, primarily target rural and low-income districts, many of which are still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
The funding was part of the federal Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) program. In 2023, North Carolina was awarded more than $49.8 million to support approximately 23,000 students across 55 schools in 18 districts."Pulling the Rug Out"The Department of Education notified the state on December 12 that the grants would be terminated by the end of the year. According to the lawsuit, the department gave no allegation of misuse or performance failure. Under federal law, multi-year grants like the