How could closing the Department of Education impact SLO County schools and students?
President Donald Trump’s executive order to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education has left some local San Luis Obispo County educators confused and worried about the future of public schools.
The executive action authorizes U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to begin taking steps to close the agency.
But the details of how — and when — it would be carried out are still unclear.
The only way the agency can be officially eliminated is with congressional approval, and it would take some time for the action to make its way through Congress.
Plus, two coalitions filed lawsuits against the Trump administration Monday, arguing that its push to dismantle the agency is unlawful, The New York Times reported. That move further calls into question the future of the action.
Still, some local educators and lawmakers worry that a possible closure of the federal department could have detrimental impacts.
What does the Education Department do for local schools?
While day-to-day school operations are primarily within the control of local boards, district offices and the state government, the federal Department of Education is responsible for some critical aspects of public education here.
SLO County schools receive millions of dollars from the federal agency to support special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and low-income students under Title I. Title I is a section of federal law that provides funding to help support low-income students and close achievement gaps, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Both of those funding streams exist under federal law to help ensure students have equal access to education.
Local districts also receive reimbursements from the federal government for free and reduced-price school meals, and the department is responsible for overseeing millions in federal student loans and distributing financial aid through FAFSA.
Beyond that, the department tracks academic success in schools across the country through standardized testing, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Notably, the Department of Education does not dictate what curriculum is used in schools — that decision already lies within local jurisdictions.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement Thursday that funding for students with disabilities, student loan borrowers and other “essential programs” would not not be cut off by the executive order — but the statement did not indicate how exactly the funding streams would be maintained.
Trump has said that the major functions of the department could be absorbed by other federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration for federal student loans, and the Department of Health and Human Services for special education funding, CNN reported Friday.
“We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition,” McMahon’s statement read.
The executive order also stated that schools that receive federal funding must eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programming, as well as “gender ideology” programs — both of which the order described as “illegal discrimination.”
McMahon’s statement lauded the decision as a bureaucracy-busting cut that would improve public education for parents, local governments, teachers and taxpayers. She described it as a “history-making action.”
“With today’s action, we take a significant step forward to give parents and states control over their children’s education,” McMahon wrote. “Teachers will be unshackled from burdensome regulations and paperwork, empowering them to get back to teaching basic subjects. Taxpayers will no longer be burdened with tens of billions of dollars of waste on progressive social experiments and obsolete programs. K-12 and college students will be relieved of the drudgery caused by administrative burdens — and positioned to achieve success in a future career they love.”
How could federal move impact SLO County kids?
The future of the Department of Education is a waiting game, SLO County school administrators told The Tribune.
The San Luis Coastal school district receives at least $6.5 million in federal dollars, according to assistant superintendent of business services Ryan Pinkerton.
Around $4.5 million goes to special education, low-income students under Title I and other federally funded programming, Pinkerton said. The district receives between $2 million and $3 million in reimbursements for free and reduced-price meals.
Losing any amount of that funding would be a harsh blow to the district, which is already dealing with a $6 million budget deficit that has sparked layoffs and other districtwide cuts.
“We want to ensure our students continue to receive a high quality education and that is always tougher when we have fewer resources to support programming,” said Lisa Yamashita, assistant superintendent of educational services for San Luis Coastal. “Fewer resources could mean fewer staff members available to support students with their learning and behavioral needs.”
Superintendent Eric Prater added that the district will keep tabs on how the executive order pans out.
“This of course has devastating potential if enacted in full for our students and staff,” added Prater. “A more prudent response is one of wait and see. It appears that these funds will not be eliminated at this point. We are keeping a close eye on all of these decisions.”
Lucia Mar superintendent Paul Fawcett had similar comments.
Federal funding for special education and Title I account for 6% of his district’s budget, he told The Tribune through a spokesperson.
“We will closely track any updates to ensure continued support for our students,” Fawcett added.
County education superintendent Jim Brescia also said it was too soon to know how the action would impact local schools and children.
SLO County state and federal legislators react
Federal and state representatives on the Central Coast have indicated they are ready to fight back against Trump’s order to dismantle the Education Department.
Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, told The Tribune on Thursday that the decision “poses a serious threat” to education on the Central Coast.
“Trump’s order prioritizes tax breaks for billionaires over the education and future of our children,” Carbajal said. “I will continue to fight to protect these crucial resources and ensure our students receive the support they need to succeed.”
Congressman Jimmy Panetta, D-Santa Cruz, took a similar stance.
“We value local control of our schools, but we must not allow that to be an excuse to cut federal funding that invests in the future of our children,” he said. “Congress established the Department of Education to ensure that all our children, no matter our zip code, have a fair shot at success. My colleagues and I have made it clear that Congress alone, not the president, holds the power to dissolve or alter the department.”
Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, also spoke to potential impacts of the federal action.
“As a mother of two college students who rely on financial aid, just like millions of other students across America, I know firsthand that education is the foundation of a strong, resilient nation,” Addis said in a statement. “The President’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education is a blatant disregard for students, families and educators. It strips opportunity from millions, and puts jobs on the line.”
Addis added that California lawmakers are working to defend local schools from unlawful moves by the federal government.
To prepare for anticipated litigation against the Trump administration, the California Legislature allocated $25 million to the state Department of Justice to sue the federal government and block executive orders.
“We are not standing back. We are fighting,” Addis said.
State Superintendent of Education Tony Thurmond also said in a statement that California would “challenge these unlawful orders and actions in court,” and Attorney General Rob Bonta promised in a statement on Thursday to take “all necessary legal action” to protect students state and nationwide.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM.
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