Students study in the Student Success Center at Bay College in this recent photo. While no current programs or services at Bay have been affected by the federal executive order dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, officials are preparing should any programs be impacted. (Photo by Noah Johnson, Escanaba Daily Press)

ESCANABA — The U.S. Department of Education is being dismantled as a result of a recent federal executive order.

On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an order closing the department.

“Today’s executive order is a history-making action by President Trump to free future generations of American students and forge opportunities for their success. We are sending education back to the states where it so rightly belongs,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in a press release.

The agency was created in 1979 by Congress during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.

With the previous cuts to the department and the subsequent dismantling of the department, local area schools are preparing for potential impacts to their operations and programs.

On March 11, the department announced the workforce was at roughly 2,183 employees; the department previously employed 4,133.

Now, the department is being dismantled, leaving states responsible for education.

“Instead of filtering resources through layers of federal red tape, we will empower states to take charge and advocate for and implement what is best for students, families and educators in their communities,” McMahon said.

She clarified that the department’s closure will not impact funds from those who depend on them.

“We will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers and others who rely on essential programs. We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition,” she said.

The Michigan Department of Education responded to the announcement with a press release on March 20 saying the federal government should focus on supporting teaching and learning at the local level rather than “the president’s ill-advised plan to the abolish the U.S. Department of Education.”

“As educators, we must continue to keep our eyes on our most important goal — educating and supporting our children,” said state Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “At the end of the day, I do not believe the U.S. Department of Education will be shuttered. Congress and the American people will not allow it. What’s more concerning is the president’s effort to cut federal funds and the effect on students with disabilities, poor children, children experiencing homelessness, English learners and other children who require more funding to local school districts to educate and support.

“The federal government already underfunds education, particularly for our students with disabilities.”

State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh criticized the executive order, saying Trump cares more about scoring political points than “our” children.

“I will continue to fight his efforts to take actions that will be harmful to Michigan’s students,” Pugh said. “The federal government needs to do more — not less — to help all children learn and be physically and mentally healthy so they can achieve their dreams. I will continue to work with anyone in Michigan or Washington, D.C., who wants the best for our children and to vehemently oppose anyone who does not have our students’ best interests at heart.”

Local area school systems such as Escanaba, Gladstone, Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District and Bay College have yet to see any effects from the executive orders, but officials are preparing for potential impacts.

“So far, we haven’t been affected by the cuts. Everyone is still digesting the information, but it appears most of the recent reductions are in areas like research or oversight rather than funding,” said Escanaba Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Coby Fletcher.

While Escanaba has not been affected by the cuts yet, there are concerns regarding some of its programs.

“We’re extremely worried about federal budget proposals that would significantly cut the school meals program,” Fletcher said. “For several years, we’ve been able to offer universal free breakfast and lunch, and losing this will negatively impact students and place an additional burden on families at a time when finances are already stretched.”

Like Escanaba, Gladstone Area Schools has not seen an impact yet, but there are concerns regarding some of the district’s programs.

“Gladstone Schools, like all of our neighbors, will certainly be impacted by the dismantling of the DOE. However, because our local priorities have not changed, we will continue to provide the same programming. The issue, of course, will be how to fund those priorities if and when the federal funding goes away,” said Gladstone Area School Superintendent Dr. Jay Kulbertis.

He added that several programs rely on federal funding.

“The programs that have historically seen the greatest federal support financially have been At-Risk Title 1, which is geared toward lower-income students/families, and special education, which focuses on students with disabilities. Also, Head Start is a federally funded preschool program, so if that goes away, we will be left with only the state’s GSRP (Great Start Readiness Program) programming for preschool,” he explained.

Another likely area that will be affected is the school lunch program.

“It is unclear how the state may be able to backfill for this programming. Also, the Office of Civil Rights resides within DOE, so we do not know how those policies will be enforced,” he said.

The DSISD is still operating as usual, but there are concerns that there could very well be cuts to the special education budget, particularly Medicaid and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funds.

“If they cut those programs, it’s just going to be less service than we can provide for our local students with special education needs,” said DSISD Superintendent Doug Leisenring.

“That’s just the reality of what’s going to happen.”

He added that the personnel cuts at the federal level could make it harder to access funds, but that has not occurred yet.

He said the DSISD has been told that funding for special-needs education is being protected, but local legislators told him to be prepared to continue to advocate for the programs.

“I’m concerned for the federal government to meet the financial targets that they’re talking about trying to achieve, that they’re going to look at places like Medicaid and IDEA, which cuts in those areas as will result in less programs and services for students with special needs in our local schools,” he said.

He added that he didn’t want to be an alarmist as no programs have been cut as of yet, but he will “keep his eyes open” and be ready to advocate for the provided services.

Bay College, like the local area schools, is uncertain about what the impacts will be on its programs and funding.

“Recent federal actions impacting higher education remain in flux. As it relates to Bay College, there is still uncertainty, so we continue to regularly track and assess potential impacts as far as possible funding or program impacts,” said Bay College President Dr. Nerita Hughes.

“It is still too new and uncertain to determine whether we can expect any changes. The federal government still has to maintain services like Pell grants, student loans and federal repayment programs. In addition, the Department of Education cannot be eliminated without congressional approval.”

She added since there is so much uncertainty, the college cannot predict how potential cuts will impact the college.

“Which is why we continue to work with our partners at the state and national level to better understand what this could mean for higher education institutions, including Bay College, in the long term.”

She added there is not a particular field of study that would be impacted, but she and Bay are monitoring federal programs.

“We are more so paying attention to specific federal programs such as TRIO, Carl D. Perkins and of course the Pell grants,” Hughes explained.

In the uncertainty, Hughes said as president of Bay, she will try to maintain hope, resilience and a sense of compassion as she helps navigate the changes for the institution and the surrounding community.

“Things are changing rapidly, so to say that there is not a sense of uncertainty and discomfort is an understatement,” she said.

Hughes added that the college will continue to set its students up for success.

“Bay will continue to lead with our mission that defines who we are: student success, community success and a culture of success. Our mission represents active, guiding principles that show up in the way we serve our students and support one another. In uncertain times, they anchor us; we create the conditions for student success — even in the face of change,” she said.