It was somewhat of a surprise that school officials from Blair and Cambria counties, from whom comment was sought regarding the Trump administration’s decision to cancel the final round of federal pandemic aid for school systems here and across America, did not express frustration or dismay about the funds pullback.

If those school officials were, in fact, significantly troubled about the prospect of not receiving the money in question, they likely chose not to speak on the record, perhaps in fear of retribution from the president or maybe other top aides.

Such reluctance is understandable, although, at least in some situations, the reluctance might not in fact ultimately benefit those currently unwilling to speak or pass judgment.

The total amount of money school districts across Pennsylvania will lose has been listed as $254 million — a total much higher than what most people might characterize as a “drop in the bucket.”

Regardless, that money had the potential to accomplish considerable good — good that eventually might have to be financed by local taxpayer dollars or money emanating from Harrisburg — assuming, of course, districts choose to pursue what the money from D.C. would have bought.

Many residents of the two counties, contemplating the full impact of the decision that has come from Washington, might, based on facts presented in news coverage, be thinking that the Trump administration acted too hastily in imposing this “hit” on education money, especially since Congress already had authorized the distribution.

The move was in fact hasty, since the administration chose not to seek information from school officials about the uses planned for the money, prior to the administration’s decision being announced. There were times in the past when school officials would not have remained silent when faced with the prospect of such a loss.

School districts virtually always have needs that are postponed because of the desire not to overburden taxpayers. If residents of any districts seek information about spending that had been planned with the now-pulled-back money, officials of those districts should not hesitate to divulge that information — and why they seem now not to be upset about their loss.

Part of that transparency should be the amount of the money that was scheduled to be received.

Meanwhile, taxpayers who someday might have to foot the bill for what could have been bought with the pandemic-related money might find it desirable to ask their elected representatives in Washington why they did not publicly question and/or oppose the administration’s decision.

According to an Associated Press report, a federal Department of Education official said one factor in the decision to pull back the final round of funding was because the money was being misused on such things as astroturf fields.

While it might be safe to say that there were instances in which the money could have been subjected to better judgment, it also is reasonable to believe that those instances were the exception, not the rule, and that not all districts should be punished because of the errors or bad judgment of the few.

There always will be people who advocate funding cuts even if they are harmful. But opponents have the right to have their voices heard also, without fearing retaliation and as a basis for reconsideration.

That there seems to be so much contentment over the loss of millions of dollars here prompts a one-word question: “Why?”