Akron council urges federal release of after‑school funds as programs face gap

Akron City Council on Monday passed a resolution urging the federal government to release withheld after‑school and summer program funds that a council member said threaten local programming.

Councilperson Bolden, the sponsor, told council that on June 30 the federal Office of Management and Budget announced it was withholding $6,000,000,000 in 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding to states, a move Bolden said would endanger about 10,000 after‑school and summer programs nationally and create roughly an $800,000 shortfall for Akron Public Schools. Bolden said the local gap could leave about 2,500 children without access to programs that the city and Akron Public Schools have operated and funded for 24 years.

The resolution, offered by Councilperson Bolden and moved by Councilman McKittrick, passed by voice vote and was recorded as 12 to 0 in favor. The council instructed that copies be sent to Congresswoman Amelia Sykes and to the two officials the sponsor named as “our senators,” Bernie Moreno and John Husted, for assistance in securing the funds.

Council members discussed the timing: Bolden said the funding was expected to be allocated on July 1 and that the withholding affects programs whose funding lines follow the school fiscal year (July–June). Bolden said most summer 2025 programs were already covered but that programs beginning in the fall of the 2025–26 school year would face the impact if the funds remain withheld.

The resolution declares an emergency and asks federal officials to release the funds so Akron Public Schools and local partners can continue after‑school and summer programming that the sponsor said supports student attendance and academic growth.

No additional measures, such as a city budget allocation or contingency plan, were adopted at the meeting; the action was a formal council resolution requesting federal action.