Trump’s plan to dismantle Department of Education sparks local concerns and questions

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — President Donald Trump announced Friday that two key functions of the Department of Education in which he is seeking to dismantle will be moved to other agencies. 

The small business administration will handle student loans, and the Department of Health and Human Services will take on special needs and nutrition efforts. 

New Hanover County School Board member David Perry says many questions remain. 

He also said superintendent Chris Barnes believes money appropriated to local school districts should still go to them. 

But President Trump argues that there hasn’t been improvement to students’ outcomes and the Department of Education is unnecessary in a country where state and local districts control education funding.  

Perry agrees with the move but thinks it could have been handled differently. 

“I like the idea because I believe in local control and local autonomy over our school district. I feel like in general the federal government should leave it to the states and to us to manage our own affairs when it comes to school. Do I like the way it is being rolled out? Not exactly,” Perry said.   

In a statement state superintendent Mo Green released a statement reading, “President Trump’s recent executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education and “return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely”, if effectuated, has significant implications for North Carolina’s public schools. While education funding in North Carolina is primarily provided at the state and local levels, federal funding provides 10.9% of the state’s budget for public schools. The federal government provides over $1 billion to support public school students, including services for students with disabilities, children from low-income families and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Those federal dollars fund more than 14,000 teacher and other educator positions (7.6% of our education workforce) across the state.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is continuing to monitor federal executive orders and actions, maintain regular communication with districts and schools to understand and assist with immediate needs and concerns, and advocate for continued federal funding without disruptions.

While I fully acknowledge that this executive order, especially when coupled with other federal pronouncements and actions impacting public education, is unsettling, my commitment to North Carolina’s 1.5 million students remains unwavering. I am confident that by working together – educators, families, communities and policymakers – we will continue advancing educational excellence for every student in our state.”

Pender County Schools also released a statement, “While we are still reviewing the details of the recently announced changes to the Department of Education, we want to assure our community that our commitment to providing high-quality education has not changed. 

We are actively monitoring how these changes may impact our district and will work closely with state and local officials to ensure a smooth transition, should any adjustments be necessary. As always, we will advocate for the best interests of our students, staff, and families.”