Many school districts in the Kansas City area were back in class Wednesday for the first day of school. But it was an uncertain few weeks leading up to it, with millions of federal dollars up in the air.

Just a few weeks ago, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools didn't know if the district would be getting $4.9 million in federal funding. However, a recent decision from the Department of Education has put the minds of parents and educators at ease.

Federal funding goes toward many things in public schools. For example, teacher recruiting efforts and the after-school program take up the majority of funding for KCKPS.

Cynthia Astorga is a mom of three KCKPS students, with two at New Stanley Elementary School.

"As a mom, [the federal funding withheld] was very discouraging because I know a

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