LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky teachers concerned by the executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Thursday, March 20, dismantling the Department of Education.

What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky teachers are speaking out against the Education Department being eliminated

  • The Kentucky Education Association said Kentucky receives more than $1 billion in funding from the federal government

  • Fayette County educators said they’re concerned for students, educators, class resizing and budget allocation because of the order

  • The DOE was created in 1979 by Congress under President Jimmy Carter

Laura Hartke taught in Galveston and Fayette county schools for over 15 years. She said it was time for her to move her commitment to Kentucky students outside the classroom to the Kentucky United 120 and the American Federation of Teachers.  

The group aims to address challenges and advocate for educators to help better a student’s journey in school. 

“When we heard there is a possibility of more funding cuts when we already know we’re struggling without cuts nationally, a hefty sum would speak up. And so, along with 2,000 other events, we rallied our members to stand outside and make the public aware of what these cuts can mean. Funding is for areas that are impoverished and have needs,” Hartke said. 

The order said in part, “The Department of Education’s main functions can and should be returned to the states.” 

“The emergency is, they’re saying we’ll send it back to the states. That doesn’t work. Our money is federally controlled by Congress to make sure it goes in the right places. When you ship it back to the States, there are no guardrails,” Hartke said. “There’s no say in where that money goes. And so that creates a real emergency for all of Kentucky.” 

The Kentucky Education Association said Kentucky receives more than $1 billion in funding from the federal government. 

“The Department of Education sends out the money that goes to the states for kids that can’t afford lunch, kids can’t learn when they’re hungry. All our students with disabilities are 114,000 students, upward of that number receives services, and that’s funded with federal dollars,” Hartke said. 

The President said the Department of education’s key programs, Title I, which provides funding for low-income schools, and the IDEA program, which provides schools with money to meet the needs of children with disabilities, won’t be affected. 

Hartke said the group is concerned schools will experience class resizing and budget reallocation, which could cause educators to leave schools. 

The DOE was created in 1979 by Congress under President Jimmy Carter.

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