(LifeSiteNews) — Three major school districts are set to lose millions of dollars in federal funding due to their unwillingness to comply with directives concerning DEI and transgender ideology.
Chicago, New York City, and Fairfax, Virginia, school districts will all lose money because of a refusal to comply with the Trump administration, Axios reported. There are different estimates on how much could be lost – Axios reported Chicago could lose $17.5 million, New York City $36 million, and Fairfax County $13.7 million. However, the Associated Press put the total amount at $24 million.
NYC public schools did not respond to an emailed request for clarification last Friday. Fairfax sent LifeSiteNews a news release indicating “up to $167 million in federal funding” could be lost from various sources of funding. Chicago Public Schools did not respond to a voicemail on Friday that sought clarification.
The reasons for losing the money are similar.
Chicago Public Schools is standing by its “Black Student Success Plan” as well as its policies which require schools to allow gender-confused males to use girls’ bathrooms and compete on their sports teams. The Dept. of Ed. argues the Black Student Success Plan violates federal civil rights law because “it is designed for and exclusive to black students and black educators,” according to an official notice sent to the school district.
The district released the exclusionary “success plan” in February, despite clear signs and directives that the Trump administration would enforce civil rights law and stop racially discriminatory programs.
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) criticized the planned cuts, writing that “the district is demanding due process and defending these policies as both legally required and essential for closing opportunity gaps and protecting vulnerable students.”
“This fight is about more than one grant,” the CTU added. “It’s about whether Chicago will be punished for daring to center equity and justice in our schools. CTU stands with CPS and the Board of Education because Black students and transgender students deserve schools where they belong, are protected, and can thrive.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the school districts are harming students by putting ideology first.
“New York City, Chicago, and Fairfax schools are willing to sacrifice federal education dollars to keep boys in girls’ sports and private spaces and illegal DEI in the classroom,” she wrote on X.
🚨PSA: New York City, Chicago, and Fairfax schools are willing to sacrifice federal education dollars to keep boys in girls’ sports and private spaces and illegal DEI in the classroom. https://t.co/5MPCxVURSq
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) September 25, 2025
A Dept. of Ed. spokeswoman gave further comments to WBEZ, a Chicago news station.
“The Department will not rubber-stamp civil rights compliance for New York, Chicago, and Fairfax while they blatantly discriminate against students based on race and sex,” Julie Hartman stated. “These are public schools, funded by hardworking American families, and parents have every right to expect an excellent education — not ideological indoctrination masquerading as ‘inclusive’ policy.”
“If these entities are willing to risk federal funding to continue their illegal activity, that decision falls squarely on them,” she added.
New York City public schools are also deciding to forgo $15 million in funding to create magnet schools, choosing instead to stand by their policies that allow gender-confused males to enter women’s bathrooms and locker rooms and compete on girls’ sports teams. “Transgender and gender expansive students must be provided access to facilities (restrooms, locker rooms, or changing rooms) consistent with their gender identity asserted at school,” one policy states.
“The U.S. Department of Education warned the city’s school district last week that it would strip $15 million in funding allocated by the Biden administration last year to create six magnet high schools across Manhattan and the Bronx,” Center Square reported.
The Big Apple school system blamed the Trump administration.
“Cutting this funding — which invests in specialized curricula, afterschool education, and summer learning — harms not only the approximately 8,500 students this program currently benefits, but all of our students from underserved communities,” a spokesperson said, according to CBS News.
Fairfax County Public Schools has similar requirements that gender-confused males be allowed to undress in girls’ locker rooms, even against the wishes of female students.
The policy bans schools from requiring “transgender” and “gender-expansive” students to use single-use facilities. According to the written policy, the school [e]nsures students can use the locker room or restroom that aligns with their gender identity and forbids forcing them to use only a private area, single-occupancy accommodation, or other single-use facility.”
