Michigan school boards urge Congress to oppose dismantling Education Department

DETROIT — More than 90 Michigan school board members have sent a letter to Congresswoman Haley Stevens, expressing their concern over President Donald Trump's executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. The letter urges Congress to intervene and prevent the department's abolition, which would still require congressional approval.

April Beaton, a school board member from Hazel Park, voiced her concerns, particularly regarding the impact on special education funding. "I am a school board member. I have kids that are in public schools. I have children that have disabilities," she said. Michigan received approximately $461 million in federal funding from the Department of Education last year to support special education.

Beaton added, "It's really difficult to turn on the TV in the morning and then wonder that when I open up my phone at the end of the night, if I'm going to find out that everything has changed in eight hours and I'm sort of unaware of it."

President Trump stated that the executive order aims to return education control to the states, promising "uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits in which Americans rely on."

Brandy Mitchell, a PTA member, emphasized the need for unity in addressing educational challenges. "I think the common ground is we all want what's best for these students. That should be the common ground and where we all come to the table. Parents, students, teachers," she said.

The Michigan Department of Education is currently working to determine the total federal funding received last year. The U.S. Department of Education was established in 1979 and began operations in 1980.