Michigan's superintendent released a statement in response to the Trump administration’s move to cut staffing at the Education Department in half, calling the action “an outrage.” – The state superintendent released a statement in response to the Trump administration’s move to cut staffing at the Education Department in half, calling the action “an outrage.”
The more than 1,300 layoffs were announced on Tuesday, March 11, prompting questions about how the agency will continue to operate regularly.
State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice released the following statement regarding the layoffs:
“Today’s action is an outrage, a likely prelude to programs, protections, and funding—and by extension children in Michigan and around the country—being adversely affected,“ said Rice. ”Funding and support from the U.S. Department of Education primarily benefit children who have greater needs and thus require more funding to educate. These staffing cuts will ultimately harm those vulnerable children, including students with disabilities, poor children, children experiencing homelessness, and English learners, among others. The federal government already underfunds education, particularly for our students with disabilities.”
