Department of Education Begins “Final Mission”

Meal Programs Also Hit by Cuts By Gordon Hopkins Recent cuts by the federal government to staff and programs that support schools have created concern and confusion among educators. Department of Education StaffThe U.S. Department of Education released a statement on Tuesday, March 11, which began, “As part of the Department of Education’s final mission, the Department today initiated a reduction in force (RIF) impacting nearly 50 percent of the Department’s workforce. Impacted Department staff will be placed on administrative leave beginning Friday, March 21st.”While use of the phrase “final mission” suggests the pending demise of the DoE, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was more upbeat when the announcement was made.“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” said McMahon. “I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.” Meal ProgramsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is cutting two federal programs that has provided more than $1 billion in funding to schools and food banks to buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers. Local ReactionLocal schools remains uncertain what the impact will be in Nebraska. FJN reached out to the Nebraska Department of Education for comment.David Jespersen, administrator of the Office of Public Information and Communications, responded, “As of right now we don’t have anything we can say about the federal department of education. We are monitoring for guidance.”As for local school, Fairbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Devin Embray told FJN, “I have not heard anything about what is going to happen with the Title programs or the NSLP (National School Lunch Program). If we lose either it would be traumatic for all districts across the state.”Randy Schlueter, superintendent of Tri County Public Schools, said, “Currently, I have concerns about the potential loss of funding from the federal government in areas that support students and families who are low socio-economic or have a learning disability. “Those are the students that will be impacted the most because of the needs they have that are partially paid for with federal funds. Meals are also supported by federal dollars and at this time, I do not know how those will be affected. This morning LJS had an article about the loss of funding to assist schools in purchasing locally grown produce.“The local produce has a higher nutrition value than commodity produce and supports a local business. The Commissioner of Education, Briah Maher, sends updates about the changes that are planned from the federal government to keep schools informed about the changes and they effect they will have on schools.”Southern Schools District Superintendent Dr. Chris Prososki wrote in a statement, “The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows high poverty schools to offer free school meals to all students. When a child’s nutritional needs are met, the child is more attentive in class, has better attendance, and has fewer disciplinary problems. The CEP program eliminates paperwork and stigma, while curbing unpaid meal debt.”Lawmakers are considering raising the CEP threshold.Prososki wrote, “Their proposal to raise the CEP eligibility threshold from 25 percent to 60 percent would cut more than 24,000 students, serving 12 million students from the program. In Nebraska alone, this would affect 49 schools, and over 12,432 students.”

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