Federal funding freeze threatens North Texas student programs

FORT WORTH, Texas — As millions of North Texas students prepare to return to school in the coming weeks, some families face the loss of critical programs and services due to a federal funding freeze. 

For the Fort Worth Independent School District, it’s a cost of nearly $10 million in education support.

This month, the school district notified several programs about a pause in contracts due to the federal funding freeze: T3, Girls Inc., Communities in Schools and My Brother’s Keeper/My Sister’s Keeper. 

Among the programs at risk is My Brother’s Keeper, which serves students by providing mentorship and life skills training, often not found in traditional textbooks.

“A lot of these kids don’t get those opportunities,” said Rickie Clark, Director of My Brother’s Keeper. “We have a saying, ‘In order to be a man, you’ve got to see a man. You can’t lead where you don’t go, you can’t teach what you don’t know.'”

The program has served nearly 3,000 students since 2016, according to Clark. 

During that time, Clark’s students have earned $8 million in scholarships. Of the students in his program last year, 44% were registered in at least one AP class, according to Clark. Southwest High School graduate Deshawn Reed credits Clark with mentoring him.

“What a man is and how a man should act and think and live responsibly,” said Reed.

For Quen’Trel Tankxley, a Dunbar High School graduate, the program provided crucial guidance during a difficult period.

“I didn’t have my dad in my life,” Tankxley said. “I didn’t even think about going to college.”

That changed after meeting Clark. Tankxley graduated from high school and is now nearing college graduation.

“I’m the first person in my family to go to college, and most of us don’t even have a high school diploma,” he said.

He plans to go on to each music education.

Tierney Tinnin, chief of communications for Fort Worth ISD, said the district is taking time to assess the impact.

“We needed to take a pause and assess what that will look like for the 2025/2026 school year,” Tinnin said, adding that district officials plan to continue discussions to develop a solution.

Despite the uncertainty, Clark remains committed to serving students.

“Whether they fund the program or not, we are going to continue to work with the youth,” Clark said. “So, I would be lying if I told you it didn’t bother me.”

The funding freeze comes as school districts across North Texas prepare for the upcoming academic year, with potential cuts affecting programs that many families depend on for student support services.

Fort Worth ISD students return to the classroom on August 12. Tinnin said they hope to have a better plan by the end of August.