The current administration is taking a wrecking ball to public education. If they enact their plans, it will have a catastrophic impact on our students, educators, and families in Nevada.
As you know, the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the country and our national union, joined with the NAACP, AFSME Maryland, and several parents to sue on this issue. We share in the view that the actions taken by the administration are unconstitutional.
Today’s presentation makes clear the federal government plays a critical role in ensuring that students with specific needs are protected, fed, and adequately supported. With Elon, Trump, and McMahon plotting to eliminate the Department of Education (primarily for tax breaks for billionaires), here’s what Nevada is facing in potential cuts:
- IDEA: $104.4M
- Title I: $161M
- Pell Grants: $200M
- CTE: $12.8M
These funds are not luxuries—they’re lifelines. Losing these programs would not only threaten educational equity but break our promise to provide every child with a fair chance to succeed. It’s not surprising to learn that 64% of Americans oppose the elimination of the Department of Education.
Our state simply cannot afford to absorb these cuts. We all know Nevada is $4000 behind the national average in per-pupil funding. The Governor’s proposed increase of just two dollars per student fails to meet the moment. When federal funding falls short, the burden shifts to the state. Our already stretched budget will be asked to do even more with even less. That’s all the more reason to Pass the Plan for optimal funding set forth by the Commission on School Funding.
Dismantling the Department of Education isn’t just bad policy—it’s a direct threat to the quality and accessibility of public education in Nevada. Despite the Governor’s misguided confidence everything will be fine, we disagree—and the data supports our concern.
Families across Nevada support strong public schools because they understand students need more opportunities, more resources, and greater protections, not less.
We agree IDEA is important and we will do everything in our power to protect our students and their futures. We invite everyone to join the NSEA and NEA in protesting federal cuts and fighting back through any possible venue we can.
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