Press Releases

President Trump’s Attempt To Eliminate The Department of Education Would Decimate Access To The American Dream

Jeopardizes Nearly 1,000 Teacher Positions In Kennedy’s District

BUFFALO, NY — Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) and Buffalo Common Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart stood with Western New York educators, students, and elected officials to defend public schools in the face of President Trump’s illegal attempt to eliminate the Department of Education (ED).

“There is no American Dream without public school. The Department of Education ensures that students facing extraordinary challenges have a chance at reaching their potential,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “President Trump’s attempts to eliminate the department are both wrong and illegal. We will not allow this administration to attack our most vulnerable students, including children with disabilities and low-income students. With Title I funding in jeopardy, which provides tens of millions in grants to Buffalo Public Schools alone, nearly 1,000 teachers across my district are at risk of being fired. We must organize and mobilize to protect progress and defend the idea that every child deserves a fair shot at the American Dream. The next generation of Western New Yorkers deserve nothing less.”

“Our education system is part of what makes America great. We need our children to receive the highest quality education for our nation to continue to grow, bring prosperity, and address the challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart. “By seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, this administration is endangering billions in school aid, student loans and Pell grants that put higher education within reach of millions of students, and anti-discrimination protections that help to ensure every child is treated fairly in the classroom. Our children deserve better.”

“The attempted roughshod dismantling of the Department of Education will have dire consequences for our educational system should it succeed,” said Rich Nigro, President, Buffalo Teachers Federation. “The Buffalo Public School District serves nearly 28,000 students. The potential loss of long-standing programs such as IDEA, Title I, and USAID, which ensure critical funding to our neediest students, will cast a looming shadow over the success and health of our children. With 87% of our students (nearly 24,000) classified as economically disadvantaged, and 24% of our students (almost 6,600) classified as special education, the consequences would be devastating. And this, in turn, will have a detrimental impact on our communities.”

“Our union strongly opposes President Trump’s systematic dismantling of the Education Department and his widely publicized intention to eliminate it, despite the fact that only Congress has that power. Dissolving the Education Department is wrong, destructive and incredibly shortsighted,” said United University Professions President Frederick E. Kowal. “There is no doubt that students’ access to higher education will be negatively impacted by this imbecilic plan, through the inability to access federal student loans and student financial aid, including Pell grants. Right now, millions of students who rely on federal aid and loans to get a college degree have no idea if those loans—and continuing their college education—will be an option in the fall.”

“All students benefit from programs run by the U.S. Department of Education, especially lower-income students, students with disabilities and families in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the nation,” said Melinda Person, President, New York State United Teachers. “As the current administration has now announced a clear intent to dismantle the agency, NYSUT stands ready to fight back to defend every student, every teacher, every school, every community, and the resources they deserve.”

“New York receives $5.5 billion annually from the U.S. Department of Education,” said Joe Cantafio, WNY Regional Staff Director, New York State United Teachers. “Its programs and resources benefit every student in the state, but especially lower-income students, students with disabilities, and school communities in under-resourced regions. While unsure exactly how it will affect NY, we can say with confidence that every school district will be affected in some way.”

“The Trump administration's reckless attacks on the Department of Education, which includes a ridiculous executive order seeking to dismantle the entire agency, are completely unacceptable,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “There is no strategy to these proposed changes, which would severely endanger the distribution of education funding, disrupt access to federal student loans that help make education possible for millions of American citizens, and create numerous obstacles for educators and students across the country. As a proud graduate of public schools, I am proud to join local teachers and labor leaders alongside Congressman Kennedy and Councilwoman Everhart to urge our elected officials in our nation's capital to reject any attempt to eliminate the department and dismantle an agency that provides federal funding for public schools, supports young people with disabilities and provides all students and educators access to vital programs and protections for students.”

“The attacks on the U.S. Education Department will be felt most acutely by the most vulnerable students,” said Majority Leader M. Halton-Pope. “Without the education aid, student loans and grants, and anti-discrimination enforcement provided by the U.S. Education Department, students across our community will suffer. I stand with Congressman Kennedy and Councilwoman Everhart in calling for an end to these reckless and regressive attacks on our education system.”

“The Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is a direct attack on our students, our teachers, and the future of our youth in Western New York,” said Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera. “This move will only make it harder for students to get a quality education and prepare for their career. By threatening billions in education funding, putting federal student loans at risk, and undermining critical protections against discrimination, they are making it clear that well-educated citizens are their enemy. We will not stand by while this administration jeopardizes the future of millions of American students. Education is a right, not a privilege—and we will fight to defend it.”

“Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education would be a catastrophic blow for students, teachers, communities, and industries alike,” said Erie County Legislator Taisha St. Jean-Tard. “As a proud graduate of Buffalo Public Schools, I have experienced firsthand how public education transforms lives. A well-educated society is the foundation of a stronger, more just future, and this department plays a critical role in making that possible. Gutting it would have devastating consequences for our communities, and I strongly condemn this reckless assault on our future.”

“The efforts to dismantle the U.S. Education Department are not only an attack on our most vulnerable students, but also an attack on our very future,” said Council Member Mitch Nowakowski. “The essential school aid, student loan access, and anti-discrimination protections provided by this critical agency ensure all students have a chance to reach their full potential and thrive. I proudly support Congressman Kennedy and Councilwoman Everhart in denouncing these destructive and short-sighted actions against the Education Department.” 

“As former Chair of the Education Committee, I worked tirelessly to ensure our students are prepared for the future,” said Buffalo Common Council President Bryan J. Bollman. “The Trump administration’s reckless attacks on the U.S. Department of Education threaten financial aid, critical resources, and anti-discrimination protections—putting millions at risk. This is unacceptable. We must stand firm in protecting the resources that help our children succeed.”

“I represent some of the most underserved children in the region. Disbanding the Department of Education will not only result in lower services for this needy population but will also put the financial and inevitable social burden onto state and local governments,” said Assemblymember Pat Burke.

“I was a high school teacher for 20 years, and I can tell you, the U.S. Department of Education has long been a critical partner in the support of faculty, students, and school communities,” said Assemblyman Bill Conrad. “Its distribution of funds for teacher training keeps educators' professional skills sharp and leads to a more enriching experience, and better outcomes, in the classroom. Furthermore, the Department's funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is essential to the success of special-needs children in districts across the country. I fear the Trump administration's baseless attacks on the Department will erode educational quality, limit citizens' access to federal student loans, and damage the anti-discrimination protections that make education such an equalizing force for good in our world. I thank Congressman Kennedy and Councilwoman Everhart for lending their voices to this fight against the dismantling of the foundation of America's education system. Our solidarity is more important than ever.”

“One measure of a healthy community and society is a robust education system,” said Assemblymember Karen McMahon. “The recent cuts to funding at all levels of education, and the proposed dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, are short-sighted and misguided moves by the Trump administration that will have catastrophic effects on students everywhere. The Department of Education serves many important functions, including administering Title I funds for low income communities, funds for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and federal support for free and reduced price school meals. The Department of Education also manages federal student loans and Pell grants. Without support from the federal government and management by the Department of Education, these programs will be diminished or eliminated, kids will go hungry, rights will not be enforced, and the dream of a college degree will be even more difficult or even impossible for students here in Western New York and across the country. This is an all-out attack on the American education system, and is likely an illegal exercise of executive authority in the absence of legislative action. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his leadership on this issue, but I am still waiting for a response by any one of the seven Republican members of the New York Congressional Delegation.”

BACKGROUND 

The Department of Education supports all stages of student learning across the United States, from the 26 million elementary and secondary students who have teachers in their classrooms thanks to Title I funding to the 7 million students that rely on Pell Grants to pay for college. By eliminating the department, the Trump Administration jeopardizes Title I grants. An estimated 958 teachers in New York’s 26th Congressional District and 22,458 teachers across New York State stand to be kicked out of the classroom, leaving millions of students across the country without a teacher. 

Specifically, in FY2020, Title I funding provided $34,135,166 in funding for the Buffalo City School District, $2,055,497 for the Lackawanna City School District, $832,001 for the North Tonawanda City School District, $4,735,810 for the Niagara Falls City School District, and $446,050 for the Tonawanda City School District. 

On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order illegally dismantling the Department of Education.

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