Nevadans react to President Trump’s attempt to dismantle Department of Education

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - President Trump is signing an Executive Order to minimize the Department of Education. A topic he campaigned on during his bid for the presidency.

Trump, gave the nod to his Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, to dismantle the department.

However, some people are opposing his latest order. “When you dismantle the Department of Education, you are not helping our kids. You are abandoning them,” said Alex Marks, Nevada State Education Association.

The Executive Order will need Congress’s support and only Congress can abolish the department it created.

“He can’t actually do it,” said Marks. “But they are working to take a wrecking ball to public education in numerous ways. We are going to feel that here at home because we rely a lot on the programs the Department of Education offers, our students, families and communities rely on a lot of federal dollars that come”

Nevada ranks 48th in public schools, 46th for School Quality, 50th for School Safety, and 45th for Student Success, while funding is a top concern.

“Right now our K-12 budget will increase public funding for students by $2. Next year the Governor’s budget currently increases per pupil funding by $2. We are already stretched thin.”

The state is currently $4000 behind the national average in per-pupil funding.

The President says the Executive order will not impact certain types of funding. “Pell grants, Title I funding, and resources for children with disabilities and special needs will preserved. Fully preserved.”

However, it could limit the quality and quantity of schools in rural and urban areas. “We are going to be stretched so thin here you are going to see schools close, our class sizes are going to balloon, teachers are going to lose their jobs, esps (Education Support Professional) are going to lose their jobs.”

Copyright 2025 KOLO. All rights reserved.