Waiting game: Schools ask what’s next for DoE

The axe seems poised at the root of the federal Department of Education’s tree as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on a campaign promise to shutter the entity. School superintendents in Butler and Ripley counties weighed in on how this possible move could affect education outcomes and programs in Southeast Missouri, while others across in Scott and Dunklin counties were reluctant to weigh in until more information is available.

Uncertainty

Doniphan School District Superintendent Michael Owen took a metered approach. He pointed to several programs like the district’s preschool, K-6 reading programs, and parent involvement activities paid for by Title 1 federal funding that could vanish along with the DoE.

“I’m unsure of how it could affect us,” expressed Owen, who was previously an administrator for Poplar Bluff School District.

He noted this is the worst-case scenario. Alternatively, the funding could be funneled through the state’s education departments as opposed to coming from the federal government directly.

“Without that tier, maybe it could even be more money?” Owen speculated. “Hopefully, this would put the state in more control.”

He said, if the abolition of the federal DoE brought about less waste of taxpayer money, it would be a positive change.

“My personal opinion is that I can see positives and negatives. It depends on what programs are cut, what red tape is cut, and what programs are kept,” Owen shared.

By moving more authority to the states, he hoped education could more closely reflect the values locally.

“I believe education should be on a more local level to reflect the values of the community, not Washington DC’s values. Our state pays taxes for education that goes to DC just to come back to the state.... How much waste, or how much could be saved by those funds going directly to the state?” Owens opined.

Superintendent Heather Black of the Neelyville School District said the potential impact of the DoE’s dissolution is hard to forecast.

“Without knowing the specifics of any proposed changes, it is not possible to accurately assess how our district might be affected,” she remarked.

Federal funds only ‘part of the picture’

Black mentioned the impact of federal funding loss is only part of the picture. Federal funding makes up a relatively small portion of public school budgets — roughly 14%, the AP reports.

“Although a substantial portion of American education occurs at the state and local level, the federal government assists with targeted programs, funding, and supports,” she commented. “Public schools rely on a combination of federal, state and local dollars to support our students and staff. Federal money (is) not the primary source of operational funds for our district, with dollars from the federal level specifically earmarked for discrete purposes like students from low-income families, students with learning disabilities, students in vocational and technical programs.”

Poplar Bluff R-I School District Superintendent Aaron Cornman declined to comment on the situation because he did not feel he was in a position to speculate or take a political stance.

“We will continue to work locally and at the state level to ensure that our staff remains able to provide our students and our community with the best possible educational environment,” Black concluded.

The agency’s main role is financial, the Associated Press reported Wednesday, March 12. Annually, it distributes billions in federal money to colleges and schools and manages the federal student loan portfolio. Closing the department would mean redistributing each of those duties to another agency. The Education Department also plays an important regulatory role in services for students, ranging from those with disabilities to low-income and homeless kids.

Much of the Education Department’s money for K-12 schools goes through large federal programs, such as Title I for low-income schools and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Those programs support services for students with disabilities, lower class sizes with additional teaching positions, and pay for social workers and other non-teaching roles in schools.

Waiting for more information

Many superintendents in Southeast Missouri were reluctant to comment on the potential impacts of cuts to the DoE.

Scott County R-4 “Kelly” Superintendent Dr. Bradley Kolwyck said on Tuesday, March 11, he’s not well versed about the entire plan with the U.S. Department of Education. However, Kolwyck noted local superintendents have turned their focus to the current state of Missouri House Bill 711, which deals with open enrollment, and was scheduled for a House hearing on Wednesday, March 12. The bill establishes transfer procedures for students in public schools to nonresident districts.

“Open enrollment is a concern because of the financial strain it will put on small, rural schools due to the uncertainties of enrollment year to year,” Kolwyck said. “Of course, there will be ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in a bill like HB711, but, overall, public education in rural Missouri will be a loser if HB711 passes.

He continued: “The open enrollment bill will widen the inequities gap more versus closing it like some believe. Scott County R-4 will continue to provide the best education possible as we have done for years. Every year when a version of this type of bill comes up, the focus quickly shifts from the negative effects it has on small, rural schools solely to ‘choice.’”

The legislation won approval from the Missouri House on Wednesday, March 12. The 88-69 vote saw 22 Republicans join with all but three Democrats in opposition. It now heads to the Missouri Senate.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brad Pollitt of Sedalia, has filed the legislation for five years in a row, the Missouri Independent reported. It narrowly passed the House four times but has never come to a vote in the Senate.

Over the years, the bill has shifted with protections added, like a 3% cap on the number of students that may leave a school district each year. School districts may opt in to accept students, but schools do not have an option to restrict students from leaving.

Superintendents from the Dunklin County districts of Kennett, Malden, Campbell, Clarkton, Senath-Hornersville, Southland and Holcomb declined to comment.

Joe McGraw is a staff writer with the Daily American Republic. Leona Heuring is the news editor for the Standard Democrat.

Additional reporting by Steve Hankins, staff writer at the Delta Dunklin Democrat.