One day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the federal Department of Education, it remains unclear how the move could affect schools in West Virginia.
While only Congress has the power to fully end the Department of Education, The reported Friday the Trump administration is preparing to ƵrelocateƵ the departmentƵs main responsibilities to other government agencies and Ƶroll back federal regulations.Ƶ
According to ThursdayƵs , the Secretary of Education should begin returning authority over education to the states and local communities Ƶwhile ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits.Ƶ
The order does not specify cutting any federally funded resources to schools, which is a primary function of the department.
The Department of EducationƵs for FY 2025 accounts for over $1.1 billion worth of funding for West Virginia.
Christy Day, director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Education, said for FY25, the state received roughly $469.4 million overall for , school nutrition, vocational programs and special education/Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs.
Day declined by email to make available anyone at the department who could discuss changes to education in the state, as the issues Ƶare fluid and still evolving.Ƶ
Cabell County Schools Treasurer Drew Rottgen said Friday the school district alone receives between $7 million to $7.5 million in Title I and Title II funding.
He said the school district receives another $3.4 million to $3.5 million in funding through IDEA.
ƵSo, itƵs a sizable amount. I mean, we definitely use it, definitely depend on it,Ƶ Rottgen said.
Cabell County Superintendent Tim Hardesty said the district has not received any communication on how it may be affected, Ƶand thereƵs really nothing in the executive order that states that.Ƶ
ƵI donƵt have any indication from that executive order whatƵs impacted, or if anything is impacted,Ƶ Hardesty said. ƵWe donƵt have a clue.Ƶ
According to an by Education Secretary Linda McMahon published by Fox News Channel, she plans to reassign the distribution of the departmentƵs money to support low-income students and those with disabilities, as well as the departmentƵs management of financial aid, civil rights enforcement and data collection.
ƵI proudly ran on eliminating the federal Department of Education and block granting those dollars directly to the states, and I am proud to see that come to fruition,Ƶ said Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va. ƵI canƵt wait to work on legislation to make this action permanent.Ƶ
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Friday she agrees with the move.
ƵPresident TrumpƵs Executive Order to consolidate the Department of Education will allow decisions to be made closer to the student, whether thatƵs in the state or even down to the locality,Ƶ she said in a statement. ƵI agree with this move because it will help remove bureaucracy and empower the states to make the decisions that work best for them.Ƶ
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in that Trump is right to dismantle the Department of Education, which he called Ƶa bureaucratic nightmare.Ƶ
ƵEducation should be controlled by the states Ƶ and West Virginia is poised to make key changes to grow in the rankings and improve educational outcomes for our residents,Ƶ the post continues.
Requests for comment sent to the offices of Sen. Jim Justice and Rep. Carol Miller, both R-W.Va., were not responded to by press time Friday.
Katelyn Aluise is an education and court reporter.
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