How dismantling the U.S. Department of Education will affect Park City School district

The Park City School District building in Park City, Utah. Photo: TownLift // Bailey Edelstein

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City School District officials say the Supreme Court’s decision that lets President Donald Trump resume plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education will cause little financial turmoil in local classrooms.

The high court on Monday lifted a lower‑court injunction and cleared the administration to lay off nearly 1,400 employees as it works to wind down the agency, The Associated Press reported. Trump hailed the ruling as a “major victory” that will send federal education functions “BACK TO THE STATES.”

Title I money a sliver of district budget

Colton Elliott, public information officer for Park City School District, said by email that the district relies on about $80,000 in Title I aid — all of it directed to McPolin Elementary School — out of a $118 million operating budget. Title I funding helps schools with high concentrations of low-income students implement school-wide programs or targeted assistance programs for specific students who need extra support, according to the Department of Education.  

“Our Title 1 budget is approximately $80,000 out of the district’s overall $118 million budget, and all of those funds are allocated to McPolin Elementary School,” Elliott wrote. “Given the relatively small portion Title I represents in our total budget, we are not concerned that potential elimination or block‑granting of these funds would have a significant financial impact. Most importantly, it will not hinder the educational services we provide to the students at McPolin Elementary.”

Special‑education reserve in place

If oversight of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act money shifts to the Department of Health and Human Services, Elliott said the district is ready.

“While our federal funding for school‑age special education (SPED) services is more substantial, we are confident those funds will continue to be distributed without interruption. Our federal funding SPED preschool allocation is approximately $20,000. In either case, Park City School District has proactively set aside a contingency in our fund balance to ensure there is no disruption in legally compliant special‑education services,” he said. “This reserve would easily cover any potential loss or delay in federal SPED funding.”

Grant freeze would trim, not slash

A federal freeze on $6.2 billion in K‑12 grants — including 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title III for English‑learner services and professional‑development dollars — amounts to at least 10 percent of states’ overall federal revenue. For Park City, the exposure is tiny.

“While the federal freeze represents approximately 10% of overall K‑12 revenue at the state level, the Park City School District receives only about 0.06% of its total budget from the affected grants. Given the minimal impact on our overall budget, we are confident the district can make necessary adjustments to ensure that student‑facing educational services will not be affected in any way,” Elliott wrote.

Civil‑rights commitment unchanged

Seven of 12 regional Office for Civil Rights branches have already closed. Elliott said local protections will not weaken.

“Regardless of changes at the federal level, Park City School District remains fully committed to upholding the civil rights of all students, including protections under Title IX, disability laws, and safeguards for students of all races, identities, and backgrounds,” he wrote. “We continue to meet all Office of Civil Rights requirements, not just because it is mandated, but because it is the right thing to do for kids.”

Elliott added that the district “prioritizes inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environments” and will keep reviewing practices “to reduce unsafe incidents and educate students on social, emotional, and physical well‑being.”

Key numbers

• $118 million — PCSD operating budget

• $80,000 — Title I funds, all at McPolin Elementary

• $20,000 — SPED preschool allocation

• 0.06% — Share of district budget tied to frozen federal grants

District leaders say those figures, and the cash reserves behind them, leave Park City schools well‑positioned even as Washington moves to shrink the agency that once issued the checks.