President Donald Trump’s renewed push to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is sending shockwaves through schools across New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. If enacted, the move could result in billions of dollars in lost federal funding, leaving states scrambling to fill budget gaps and protect vital education programs.

Impact on New York Schools

New York’s public school system primarily relies on state and local funding, but approximately $2 billion in federal aid supports programs for low-income students and students with disabilities. The loss of funds may cause school districts to cut essential services, lay off teachers, or raise property taxes to help make up the difference.

Governor Kathy Hochul has warned that rural homeowners and businesses could bear the financial burden as the state attempts to compensate for the loss of federal aid.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Letitia James is suing the U.S. Department of Education over the cancellation of millions in teacher grant funding. The lawsuit, joined by seven other state attorneys, challenges the abrupt loss of grants supporting teacher training and placement in high-need schools.

“The power of the purse belongs to Congress, and the Department of Education cannot unilaterally cut millions of dollars in funding for teachers and students who rely on it,” Attorney General James said in a statement. “Kids in rural and underserved communities deserve access to a quality education, and programs like SEED and TQP help bring qualified teachers to classrooms that desperately need it. Slashing funding for these critical programs robs students of the opportunity to succeed and thrive. My office is suing the Department of Education to help teachers and students in communities nationwide.”

Programs at SUNY and CUNY institutions, which were set to receive over $16 million, have now been thrown into uncertainty, leaving thousands of teachers and students in limbo.

Challenges for Vermont and Massachusetts

The impact of eliminating the Department of Education extends beyond New York. In Vermont, federal funding accounts for 10% of overall education spending—a seemingly small percentage, but one that experts warn is crucial to supporting low-income and rural communities. Vermont schools may be forced to increase property taxes or cut essential programs without these funds.

In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey has raised concerns over the potential loss of $2 billion in annual federal education funding. The governor said in a statement that the funds support teacher salaries, special education programs, school counselors, and financial aid for low- and middle-income students.

“Massachusetts is home to the first public school in the United States, and we have the #1 schools in the country. Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education means students and schools would lose out on $2 billion in federal funding for our schools. That means bigger class sizes, fewer reading specialists and support for students with IEPs, less funding for poorer and rural school districts, and an end to after-school programs. What Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon are doing is bad for children, bad for schools, and bad for our communities. Congress cannot let this happen.”

Education leaders across the region are urging lawmakers to oppose Trump’s proposal. Massachusetts’s Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Russell D. Johnston emphasized in a statement the long-term consequences of defunding public education.

“Massachusetts has the strongest public school system in the nation, and it is built on a shared, bipartisan acknowledgment that steadfast investment in public schools is a public good. Removing federal support will harm students, moving our country backward, not forward.”

With billions of dollars at stake and millions of students affected, the debate over the future of the U.S. Department of Education is intensifying. State officials, educators, and families are bracing for potential funding cuts that could reshape public education for years to come.

Make sure to stay with News Channel 13 as we continue to report the latest on this developing story.