Friday, March 21, 2025
President Trump is considering an executive order that would shut down the U.S. Department of Education — a move that would deliver on a promise he made on the campaign trail.
In his first weeks in office, Trump has implemented sweeping changes — from freezing federal grant funds to placing Education Department employees in the education department on leave after an executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Shutting down the department — which would take an act of Congress — would have an effect on school districts on Long Island that rely on federal funding for many programs they offer.
A vote in 2023 on an amendment to a House rule to abolish the department failed to pass, as 60 Republicans joined all Democrats in the House to vote “no.”
What does the Department of Education do?
Created in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, the department’s mission is to promote student achievement and equal access to education for all. There is widespread misunderstanding that the department manages the country’s schools and dictates their curriculum. In reality, this responsibility falls to state governments and local school districts.
While the federal agency does not directly control K-12 education, it provides significant financial support to school districts with funding programs aimed at improving education, particularly in underserved communities. The department oversees student loan programs and administers Pell Grants, which help low-income students attend college.
Additionally, the department funds initiatives that support students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It also enforces civil rights laws aimed at preventing discrimination based on race or sex in schools that receive federal funding.
Local reaction to Trump’s plan
Shari Camhi, the Baldwin School District superintendent, wrote in an email to the Herald that shutting down the Department of Education could significantly impact the district, causing disruptions in the administration of federal education programs and delays in the disbursement of federal funds.
If a dismantling of the department were to happen, Camhi added, “The Baldwin Union Free School District will do everything possible to ensure there is minimal disruption to our education program, our staff and students,” she stated. “The Department of Education not only provides necessary funding for our deserving students and exceptional programs, but it serves as an advocate for public education.”
“The majority of students in the U.S. attend public schools, the cornerstone of our democracy,” she continued. “Having an agency focused solely on education underscores the vital importance it plays in our country.”
Funding from the DOE constitutes nearly $2 million of the district’s budget, Camhi said.
In a statement, the State Education Department reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and the legal protections ensuring that all children receive a fair and equitable education based on the state Constitution.
“Recent executive orders issued by the President are antithetical to this tradition,” a statement posted on the department’s website on Feb. 3 read. “They are also ineffective, as the President has a constitutional duty to ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed.’ This means the President cannot decide which laws to enforce or funds to distribute. It’s also why two federal courts immediately enjoined the President’s attempt to ‘freeze’ federal funds.
“The Board and the Department remain committed to the inherent dignity and worth of every child,” the statement continued. “As such, we denounce the intolerant rhetoric of these orders. Our children cannot thrive in an environment of chaos; they need steady and stable leadership that we will endeavor to provide.”
