Silver Schools' mental health funds uncertain

District will continue programs with state funding, but federal grant's future is unclear

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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While the continued funding of a federal mental health grant to Silver Consolidated Schools is still in question, the district will be able to continue its programs thanks to a state initiative, an administrator reported to the school board. The state funding should be secure for two or three years, and the district is also pursuing other grants, but the federal funding appears to be on hold for now.

Why it matters

The mental health programs funded by the federal grant have provided critical support and resources for students in the district, and the uncertainty around the grant's future could jeopardize the district's ability to continue offering these vital services.

The details

Silver Consolidated Schools was awarded a five-year, $5 million federal grant in 2023 through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for mental health initiatives. However, last May, the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the Biden-era grants, saying they conflicted with the Trump administration's priorities and policies. While a federal judge later ruled the government's ending of the grants was unlawful, the Department of Education has been granted a motion to pay only interim funding, leaving the district's long-term funding uncertain.

  • In 2023, the district was awarded a five-year, $5 million grant for mental health initiatives through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
  • Last May, the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the Biden-era grants.
  • In late December, a federal judge ruled the government's ending of the grants was unlawful.
  • In late January, the judge granted a motion from the Department of Education allowing it to pay interim funding.
  • The district received a one-month allotment of just over $115,000 for January and has until March to spend it.

The players

Cindy Barris

Associate superintendent for instruction at Silver Consolidated Schools.

William Hawkins

Superintendent of Silver Consolidated Schools.

Dr. Michelle Diaz

Vice president of the Silver Consolidated Schools board.

Raul Torrez

New Mexico Attorney General who joined 15 other state attorneys general in a civil lawsuit seeking to restore the mental health grants.

Jerome Ortiz

A bus driver for Silver Consolidated Schools who had a quick and calm response when an owl struck the windshield of his bus.

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What they’re saying

“We got a one-month allotment for January of just over $115,000. We have till March to spend our $115,000, and then who knows?”

— Cindy Barris, Associate superintendent for instruction (scdailypress.com)

“Intervention and screening are super important from the mental health perspective, equally important compared to physical health.”

— Dr. Michelle Diaz, Vice president, Silver Consolidated Schools board (scdailypress.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the Department of Education to continue paying only interim funding or to fully restore the mental health grant.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the critical importance of consistent and reliable funding for mental health programs in schools, and the need to ensure that political changes do not jeopardize the well-being of students. The district is pursuing alternative funding sources, but the long-term future of these vital services remains uncertain.