Report: President Trump is considering an executive order to shutter the U.S. Education Department
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) β The black binder, the bold felt tip pen and a captive audience has been the scene of late as President Donald Trump follows through on some campaign promises, including one that would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education through an executive order.
Congress founded the department, and President Jimmy Carter signed it into law in October 1979.
In his inaugural speech, Trump parroted some of the same complaints about critical race theory that Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin banned from Virginia schools, although CRT was not taught in Virginia K-12 schools.
"And we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves β in many cases, to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them. All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly," Trump said at the Capitol building.
In Portsmouth, 18 of its 19 public schools are Title 1 schools.
That means the children need special attention and they need it right away. Fourth grade, says Portsmouth Public Schools School Board Chairman Dr. Cardell Patillo, is the unofficial academic deadline to have children's reading and math skills up to par in order to be adequately prepared for learning success throughout their time in school.
So far, funding for public schools has not been touched, but Patillo is still waiting to exhale.
In addition to presiding over school board meetings, Patillo owns two Head Start schools outside the city of Portsmouth.
"Well, it was complete panic amongst Head Start programs when the freeze was announced," Patillo said. "Head Start programs are totally dependent on federal funding."
Regina Mobley: What would you advise people to do if they're hearing your plea today and they're concerned that funding could be cut for public education and Head Start?
Dr. Cardell Patillo: Utilize your rights as citizens. Contact your local legislators and representatives. Tell them how important this funding is to you, your family, to those around you, and your community.
National Public Radio reports that a research arm of the Education Department has been all but shut down, and several contracts have been canceled.
It takes an order from Congress to abolish the Education Department, so it is unclear how the president would use an executive order to shutter an agency that employs more than 4000 employees.