Swampscott Public Schools are facing “significant reductions” in Title grant funding this year, according to Superintendent Jason Calichman.
Each year, the federal government provides states with essential kindergarten through twelfth grade education funding to support students and their academic success. President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget would cut overall education funding by nearly 16%. In contrast, the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee’s 2026 bill largely maintains the funding levels from 2024.
“As much as it was great that the town fully funded us for what we asked for, almost immediately after the federal government took away some Title grants,” Calichman said. “Even though we got what we asked for from the town, it doesn’t mean we got what we needed…This certainly did not help.”
The Trump administration’s proposals would reduce or eliminate state funding for nine kindergarten through twelfth grade formula-funded programs under Titles I through V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the largest federal grant program for kindergarten through twelfth grade education.
The Swampscott School District is facing a 39% overall reduction in federal funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
“I just think that’s good for everybody to know and everybody to realize that despite the fact that we got the additional money from the town, we took a hit from the federal government,” Calichman said.
Title I, which is for resources that help low-income students meet academic standards, was reduced by 52%, from $209,718 last year to this year’s $100,676.
Title II, which provides resources for supporting effective instruction, was reduced by 6%, from $38,897 last year to this year’s $36,530.
Title III, for language acquisition, was reduced by 13%, from $17,453 last year to this year’s $15,247.
Title IV, which promotes safe and healthy learning environments, is the only Title grant that Calichman presented at the August 28 School Committee meeting. It raised from $10,000 last year to $14,723 this year.
School Committee Member Suzanne Wright asked if there is a “stopgap” plan.
“I spoke with every principal, and we were really smart about who we hired and had to be mindful about that,” Calichman said. “We really did a good job hiring, so we’re not in the clear by any stretch but had this not happened, we would have been in pretty good shape.”
School Committee Chair Amy O’Connor added that there is “some savings with the management team just because we have so many new faces.”
Calichman said there will be a more thorough presentation on the budget from Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operation Cheryl Herrick-Stella.
Since returning to office, Trump’s administration has also targeted education in other ways. On his first day back in office, Trump rescinded Department of Education guidance aimed at creating inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ students. He also issued an executive order directing the Secretary of Education to eliminate federal support for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility (DEIA), and gender identity in school materials.
Following the confirmation of Secretary Linda McMahon, the Trump administration rescinded $2.5 billion in COVID-19 relief grants that were previously authorized by Congress through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Education Relief (ESSER) program.
He later issued an executive order calling for the elimination of the entire Department of Education. Following the order, nearly half of the department’s workforce was laid off.
