The Franklin School District in New Hampshire faces an unforeseen financial setback as a substantial federal grant, initially earmarked for crucial mental health and social services, has been abruptly revoked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
This nearly $500,000 federal grant was part of the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program and was intended to bolster student well-being. However, the DHS asserted that the program purportedly failed to align with its core goals, leading to the cancellation of the remaining $240,000 that was slated for the second year of the two-year grant period.
In its initial year, the funding from this grant had played a vital role in covering portions of the salaries for key personnel within the district, including the school wellness coordinator, the attendance and family liaison, and the high school’s climate specialist, all positions critical for comprehensive student support.
The immediate consequence of this revocation is the cancellation of essential programs designed to benefit students and staff. Superintendent Dan LeGallo confirmed that planned initiatives, such as specialized teacher training on youth mental health and a vital summer institute, have now been regrettably scrapped due to the sudden loss of funding.
Superintendent LeGallo expressed profound disappointment regarding the decision, emphasizing the district’s dedicated efforts to secure alternative funding for these essential roles. He underscored the fundamental importance of maintaining these positions for the overall welfare and academic success of students within the district.
The DHS cited “misappropriated spending” within the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships as the broader reason for canceling $18.5 million in grants. The department controversially claimed that the program had veered off course, becoming a “cash cow for radical activists” and pushing “woke, partisan agendas” rather than focusing on preventing terrorism or targeted violence.
In response to the DHS’s broad judgment, LeGallo challenged the department to observe the realities faced by students in the Franklin district before making sweeping pronouncements on the efficacy of the grant money. He strongly advocated for a firsthand understanding of the community’s needs.
Adding to the district’s financial woes, Franklin Schools holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of New Hampshire’s most poorly-funded school districts. It was, notably, the first organization in the state to successfully secure this specific federal grant, highlighting its critical need for external financial support.
Further underscoring the severe financial constraints, Michael Lombardo, chair of the School Board Finance Committee, recently revealed that Franklin ranks among the bottom five in the state for the proportion of local taxes allocated to education, with a mere 35% of taxpayer dollars directed towards schools.
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