CVUSD talks impact of Dept. of Education layoffs, possible closure

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) - The Department of Education is facing mass layoffs, with over 1,300 employees, half the agency's workforce, let go this week.

On Tuesday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the move comes as part of a larger plan to close the agency and do away with bureaucratic roles.

President Donald Trump campaigned on closing the Department of Education, arguing states and parents should have control over school curriculum.

However, The department's largest responsibility is funding and it begs the question of how a closure or cuts to the agency could impact Coachella Valley schools.

At Coachella Valley Unified School District, Superintendent Dr. Frances Esparza says funding from the department supports the district's Title programs, which provide free or reduced lunches to students, Title 2 ensures high quality professionals work in disadvantaged areas, and Title 3 which supports English learning services.

If it were to close so would those opportunities.

"It is horrible to think that a child is sitting in your classroom hungry because when they're hungry they cannot learn, they cannot think," Esparza said.

Now facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit, Esparza says any cuts to funding hit even harder.

"It would take our families back to, you know, sack lunches. Not all our families would be able to.”

Dr. Shaun Harper with USC's Rossier School of Education, says there is a misconception that the federal agency dictates curriculum.

"The U.S. Department of Education does not mandate that any school district in the country teach us anything, certainly not critical race theory or books about gender identity and so on. You know, those are local level choices that are made within districts and within states," Harper said.

Rather, he sees the biggest impact of the agency closing would be the cuts that low-income schools face.

"Low income schools have been chronically underserved. They will be even more underserved and disadvantaged without those federal investments. Students with disabilities will continue to have their needs met at an inadequate and unacceptably low level. And colleges and universities will continue to struggle to widen access for low income Americans who depend on federal financial aid to afford college."