One Gaston County educator said he is heading into the school year with hope after the U.S. Department of Education unfroze nearly $7 billion in funding.

In Massachusetts, the freeze translated into $108 million withheld, leaving many districts scrambling to ensure they could still provide services.

Treasure Coast schools still are losing federal Title I money, even after the federal government last week released millions more that had been withheld for review. In Indian River County, about $1.6 million was being held from federal programs to help low-income families and those with special needs.