The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday afternoon it would release more than $5 billion in federal K-12 education funding that it withheld from districts for nearly a month.

The $5 billion federal funding freeze included an estimated $26.3 million earmarked for Montana schools. Local districts cited concern and confusion about the freeze’s impacts as they worked to plan their budgets for the next school year.

“We have remained confident that these funds would be released in a timely manner,” said Susie Hedalen, the state’s superintendent of public instruction Friday.

“As districts approach key budget deadlines, the Office of Public Instruction will continue to work closely with schools to support planning and implementation. We appreciate the Department’s thorough review and r

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