On Friday, the Trump administration cut $106 million in education funding slated for Massachusetts students to address pandemic learning loss and the youth mental health crisis. Because of that, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School will lose $115, 465.

In February, the Trump administration reaffirmed that Massachusetts recipients had until March 2026 — 120 days after the original deadline — to spend the grant money from a COVID-era Education Stabilization Fund. However, on Friday, at 5:03 p.m., the federal Department of Education notified all states that it had “reconsidered your request” and terminated the program at 5 p.m. on March 28, three minutes before the statement was sent.  

Diman’s Superintendent Brian Bentley confirmed the loss of the applied for grant would impact plans for next school year to implement “services to students” that “we don't normally provide during the school day.” Bentley said the funding would have been used to “call upon outside consultants,” including mental health professionals to serve students, and professional development for instructors to assist in their response to students who are exhibiting mental health challenges.  

In addition to “filling gaps” in mental health support services, Bentley maintained that after-school programs, such as math tutoring or instructional materials with a focus on science “would be cut.”

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