Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Education has lifted the freeze on 14 local projects that had previously been disqualified for funding by the federal agency.
A press release from the Governor’s Office said that on July 7, Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, Director of Education Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete’e, along with her team, and Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde met with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to provide an in-depth overview of the unique challenges and opportunities facing American Samoa’s education system.
The delegation used this opportunity to ensure the Secretary gained a comprehensive understanding of the island’s educational landscape and its specific needs. During the discussion, the Governor expressed sincere appreciation for the restoration of ARPA funds and conveyed gratitude for the Department of Education’s continued support of the territory.
The conversation focused on American Samoa’s current economic outlook, strategies for sustainable development, and the vital role federal funding plays in supporting and advancing the territory’s education system. Secretary McMahon was engaged in the dialogue, demonstrating a sincere interest in understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within American Samoa’s educational landscape. She encouraged her team to actively participate by asking thoughtful questions aimed at identifying the barriers that hinder educational progress in the territory.
The ASDOE team, which had worked tirelessly to advocate for the restoration of ARPA funds, continued to play a critical role in strengthening the territory’s education system during the meeting. The team raised the importance of improving reimbursement timelines for both ARPA funding and consolidated grants, noting that delays would affect program implementation and school operations. In response, Secretary McMahon and her team expressed understanding and emphasized their commitment to processing requests as quickly as possible. They also shared that the consolidated grants for the U.S. Territories had been finalized earlier that same morning.
The press release stated:
“We were encouraged by the Department’s clear dedication to supporting the students and educators of American Samoa and look forward to continued collaboration to strengthen educational outcomes across the territory. The meeting reaffirmed the critical role of a strong federal partnership in developing effective, lasting solutions for the challenges facing our schools. Together, we aim to enhance access to the resources, opportunities, and support necessary for American Samoa’s students to thrive and succeed.”
