The Trump administration has terminated a $5.6 million grant awarded to Crystal Lake School District 47, which was being used for mental health services for students.
The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter last week to Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 giving notice to the district of non-continuation of a grant award.
The letter said the Department of Education determined not to continue the school district’s $5.6 million mental health services grant.
“The Department has undertaken a review of grants and determined that the grant specified above provides funding for programs that reflect the prior Administration’s priorities and policy preferences and conflict with those of the current Administration, in that the programs: violate the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law; conflict with the Department’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds,” the letter said.
“The grant is therefore inconsistent with, and no longer effectuates, the best interest of the Federal Government and will not be continued,” the letter added.
Crystal Lake School District 47 Superintendent Dr. Kathy J. Hinz said in a message to members of the school district that they were “disappointed” after being notified that Project LAKE, short for Learning Acceptance through Kindness for Everyone, was discontinued and funding will cease in January.
District 47 was awarded the $5.6 million grant in 2023 to be used over five years.
“This funding has been instrumental in our efforts to build and maintain a strong network of support focused on the mental health and emotional well-being of our students,” Hinz said.
The district hired 12 dedicated staff members through the grant and also partnered with Daybreak Health to provide free teletherapy services and support to students and families.
The staff members hired through the grant will remain in their roles for the 2025-2026 school year and no “immediate changes” are anticipated.
The district and board said they recognize the important role the grant has played in expanding mental health services for students and families.
“We have the next year to review the data and plan for what comes next. We deeply value the contributions of these team members and the work they do every day,” Hinz said.
The district said they are also in communication with Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders, as well as other districts and universities impacted by the decision, to “explore advocacy efforts and potential options to continue the work supported by this grant.”
The grant termination can be appealed for reconsideration
“Your request for reconsideration should set forth your basis for disagreeing with the Department’s decision not to make a continuation award and include any relevant supporting documentation,” the Department of Education letter said.
The $5.6 million grant was awarded in 2023 and District 47 was one of only seven school districts in Illinois to be awarded the grant.
District 47 is the largest elementary school district with approximately 7,000 students and 1,400 staff.
The district serves Pre-K through 8th-grade students throughout Crystal Lake, Lakewood, Lake in the Hills, Cary, Woodstock, Huntley, Bull Valley and McHenry in nine elementary schools and three middle schools.