Last year, lawmakers had considered but abruptly reversed course on eliminating entirely a $650,000 recurring annual grant to New World School of the Arts after an outcry from McCraney and other graduates of the high school.

McCraney, who won an Oscar for writing “Moonlight” together with Barry Jenkins, led a social media campaign decrying the cut to his innovative alma mater. Located in a nine-story building in downtown Miami, the school gives teens the opportunity to train in music, theater, dance and visual arts.

Lawmakers ended up restoring $500,000 on a non-recurring basis after the controversy. But this year, though House budget leaders had included the money in their budget, Senate budget leaders did not. And after days of budget negotiations behind closed doors, the House and Senate released an agreement Wednesday night revealing the money was not there this year.

The grant supports the school’s art programs through things like equipment and supplies, while money for the academic programs comes from the K-12 funding formula in the state budget.

That money, in part, “made it possible for a student who in middle school had C grades and physical and emotional trauma to get a world class arts public education,” McCraney wrote in an email to POLITICO at the time.

Other notable alumni include Alex Lacamoire, who served as music director and orchestrator for the Broadway shows “Hamilton” and “In the Heights,” and “Cocaine Cowboys” director Billy Corben.

But it’s likely too late this year to put the money back in, as top lawmakers appear set on the spending plan they’ve announced, and could vote on it as early as Sunday.

“The budget is done,” Senate budget chief Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) told reporters Thursday morning.