Two weeks after Donald Trump was reelected president of the United States, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota introduced legislation that would carry out one of Trump’s signature campaign promises: eliminate the Department of Education.
Even though it has the fewest employees of all 15 Cabinet-level agencies, the Education Department provides essential support to America’s students and 13,000 schools nationwide. Just 4,200 employees work for the department – 2,800 of whom are represented by AFGE Local 252.
“Sen. Rounds’ bill is callous and detrimental. Our members and colleagues provide crucial services for his constituents and all citizens. In fact, because of remote work, some of our members live in South Dakota and are livid that Senator Rounds is threatening their employment for his personal political advancement,” Local 252 President Sheria D. Smith said.
While funding and policy decisions for individual schools are made largely at the state and local levels, the department provides crucial financial support to low-income students and families across the country. It also helps cash-strapped school districts provide programs and services that they would otherwise struggle to provide, particularly those benefiting students with disabilities.
The department reaches more than 800,000 preschool-aged children through its Head Start program. Employees in the department’s Federal Student Aid office administer billions in financial assistance annually that millions of students rely on to afford college.
In addition, Education employees provide professional development for teachers, conduct key educational research and innovation grants, and administer key assessment and data collection – critical to ensuring accountability and allowing good schools to become great schools.
On Dec. 5, AFGE Legislative Director Julie Tippens sent a letter to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee – Sens. Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy, respectively – asserting AFGE’s strong opposition to Sen. Rounds’ bill or any legislation that would eliminate the Department of Education.
“Public education has always been critical to the economic, political, and social welfare of the nation and the Department of Education plays a crucial role supporting our schools, universities, students and their families. We urge you to do everything possible to support the department in achieving its important mission and reject any attempts to eliminate it,” Tippens wrote.
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