Middle GA parents fear effects of Trump’s plan to close Department of Education. What we know
The March 20 executive order from President Donald Trump to begin dismantling the Department of Education has left Georgia families concerned about the future of K-12 school funding, particularly in Macon-Bibb County which relies heavily on federal money for schools.
Congressional action is required to close the cabinet-level agency, which was created under Georgia native and former President Jimmy Carter in 1979, so the agency is still operating despite massive layoffs. But the Trump administration remains determined to shut down the bureaucracy, proposing to shift its most critical duties to other federal agencies in an effort to return power to the states — even though they already have it.
Education is primarily a state and local responsibility in the country, which allocate most of the funding for K-12 schools and set classroom curricula.
While most Middle Georgia school officials have declined to comment on the topic, parents and education advocates are growing concerned as millions of dollars support students in the state’s public school systems, and how that money will be accessed in the future remains uncertain.
Concerns over redirecting federal money
The majority of funding for K-12 schools nationwide is sourced from state and local resources rather than the federal government.
Still, the Bibb County School District, like many other public school systems in Georgia, heavily relies on federal funds to support impoverished and disabled students. English language learners and college students also are helped significantly by federal money.
The American Federation of Teachers estimates that education cuts under Trump’s policies could result in a loss of $1.26 billion in services supporting K-12 students in Georgia.
The Department of Education provides over $650 million toward Georgia K-12 schools for Title I funds, and $457 million for 203,000 students who receive speech services, reading support or other assistance to ensure accessibility for disabled students, according to the AFT.
Title I schools have a significant population of students who are economically disadvantaged and receive federal money to help the students meet state academic standards.
To further minimize the Department of Education, Trump said student loans would be reassigned to the Small Business Administration, and the Health and Human Services Department would handle school nutrition and special needs programs.
Anikitia Abram, a mother of six and a former Bibb County Schools teacher, said redirecting the funds could widen the achievement gap for students in Bibb County and potentially reduce access to higher education.
“Shifting funds to agencies that may not have the same expertise or infrastructure could lead to mismanagement, reduced accountability and a lack of tailored support for schools and students,” Abram told The Telegraph.
Abram also voiced concerns about the potential loss of focus on students’ educational needs, which could lead to funding delays and fewer opportunities for Macon students who already face barriers.
“These funds are essential for supporting low-income and first-generation students. Title I (funds) help provide tutoring, classroom technology and intervention programs in schools that need them most,” she said.
Kristen Wilder, a Monroe County parent and contractor for non-partisan advocacy group MomsRising, is also anxious about how these changes will be managed and whether they will lead to a reduction in services.
“A lot of it is yet to be seen, since this is new territory that we’re in,” Wilder said. “But one thing for sure is that dismantling the Department of Education overall isn’t going to have a positive impact on students, period. This entire design was to help achieve equitable education for students.”
The Trump administration reportedly reassured the public that closing the department will not cut students off from Title I money, Pell Grants or grants under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, which created guidelines for special education.
“We will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release. “We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition.”
Higher education policy experts warn that moving the Pell Grant program to other agencies would most likely violate federal law, Inside Higher Ed reported.
Will Department of Education cuts impact Macon students?
With hundreds of homeless students enrolled in the Bibb County School District and most of its schools offering Title I services, parents worry that a loss of funds could leave public school students more vulnerable.
The Bibb County School District received nearly $64 million in total federal revenue during the 2020-2021 academic year, according to data from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan.
This included over $18 million for Title I funds to support low-income students, $4.7 million in special education services for students with disabilities and $5.5 million for Child Nutrition Act programs that provide free and low-cost school meals for students from families with low incomes.
Abram, who worked in the district for four years, said she has personally witnessed how federal money has directly benefited Macon students.
“Without these safeguards and financial resources, there is a real risk of deepening existing disparities in educational access and outcomes across our communities,” Abram said, noting the city’s large Black population.
Over 660 Macon students were classified as homeless by the end of the 2023-2024 year, with most of them being elementary school students, BCSD officials previously told The Telegraph.
Over 20% of Macon households lived under the federal poverty line in 2022, with an additional 35% that lived paycheck to paycheck.
Abram also worries that dismantling the Department of Education could strip protections for homeless students who rely on schools for stability, as they face challenges in verifying addresses.
Less money can negatively impact the BCSD, which is already navigating budget constraints, an exploration of school consolidation and staffing shortages, Abram added.
The money for schools has been set aside by Congress and is unlikely to be affected by Trump’s executive order, but “oversight of the funds could be reduced and moved to other federal agencies,” The New York Times reported.
What are other Middle GA parents’ concerns?
Wilder said she is concerned about a lack of resources school districts will have for extracurricular activities and teacher support following Trump’s efforts to gut the Department of Education.
Most importantly, she is also afraid of the curriculum that her 4-year-old daughter and rising Pre-K student will potentially face when she starts school, as federal and state levels target diversity, equity and inclusion topics and what teachers can teach in classrooms.
“I have a lot of concern about what students will see reflected in their education as some of these changes begin to take effect, and also the quality of our teachers when they are sort of pushed to leave the field,” Wilder said.
“If it gets to that point where there aren’t enough teachers who are hired and able to support their students, will they be receiving factual information? And me, as a Black woman raising a Black little girl, I am very concerned about what she will hear as she goes through school, and also how much of that I’m going to have to correct or supplement at home with factual information that they seem to be trying to push out.”
Monroe County Schools told The Telegraph that it cannot answer questions about potential budget revenue, special education services, curriculum content or teacher support implications regarding the topic at this time.
Other Middle Georgia parents have shared concerns with The Telegraph about the closure of the Department of Education will disrupt accommodations for students with disability and academic development.
What local impacts have occurred so far? Not many
In early March, Bibb County Schools told The Telegraph that it has not experienced any local impacts from the education department’s layoffs.
“It is still early, and there has not yet been enough time for districts to receive clarity on the impacts,” spokesperson Stephanie Hartley said in an email.
“Leaders will continue to monitor the situation and any changes as a result, follow guidance from the state, stay connected with colleagues across the state and country, and take every precaution possible to prevent interruptions to student services,” Hartley added.
The Telegraph also reached out to the Georgia Department of Education prior to Trump’s executive order disbanding the federal department. The Georgia department said it could not comment further on the topic until more details were available.
“Education funding – including Title I – is allocated by Congress. We have received no indication at this time that the allocations will change. We have not received direct guidance at this time on how the reductions in force at the U.S. Department of Education may impact programs and services,” Georgia Department of Education spokesperson Meghan Frick said.
“Federal funds for school districts have not been cut, and the anticipated executive order does not change that,” Kimberly Wetzel, another spokesperson for the state department, told The Telegraph.
Mercer University has also said there have been no reported changes.
“The vast majority of Mercer’s federal funding is pass-through in the form of financial aid to students, and those have not been affected at this point,” spokesperson Jennifer Fairfield said in an email.
What are GA leaders doing to prepare?
While Georgia school officials remain on the lookout for any potential changes in allocations or academic programs, Georgia lawmakers have proposed a way to address state law if the department totally closes.
The Georgia House approved Senate Bill 154, which seeks to “revise or remove references to the United States Department of Education from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.”
The bill amends various sections of state code regarding the department, adding “or its successor” after the office name appears in the statute in order to maintain professional and accreditation standards.
Can Trump actually dismantle the Department of Education?
Opposition to the Department of Education is not a new concept, as it has faced criticism from Republicans for decades.
Trump’s attempt to abolish the department is a part of his plan to decrease the federal government’s role in education and prioritize school choice.
Despite efforts to minimize the department’s power, any effort to fully eliminate the department would still most likely require action from Congress.
Several teachers’ unions and education advocacy groups, including the AFT and NAACP, have recently filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. They allege that Trump’s executive order to dismantle the department exceeded his constitutional authority and violated the Constitution and federal law.
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 10:14 AM.