Bryan Jones

Staff Writer

President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to eventually remove the U.S. Department of Education and install Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education has drawn speculation among educators and community members.

The Chair of the Department of Professional and Secondary Education at ESU, Dr. Beth Sockman, shared concerns about the potential removal of the Department of Education.

“It sends a troubling message removing the Department of Education,” Dr Sockman said. “It’s like saying ‘I want to be the healthiest person in the world,’ but never stepping foot in a gym. This move weakens our country’s ability to prioritize and oversee education at a federal level.”

“Currently, the federal government covers less than 10% of school district budgets, but its role is far beyond that of just funding,” Dr. Sockman said, emphasizing the need for federal oversight in programs.

“If federal funding and oversight disappear, the lack of direction will leave states scrambling,” she said. “It creates chaos, especially for vulnerable populations who rely on those protections.”

Associate Professor of Professional & Secondary Education, Dr. Diane Holben, who has also served as an assistant superintendent in the past, also shared concerns of her own.

“A lot of what we’re going to see moving forward depends on what exactly is removed from the Department of Education, and how that funding or staffing would be redistributed,” Holben said. “Then it becomes an issue of getting those departments up to speed.”

Holben also went on to point out how the lack of oversight would grow to be problematic.

“Without a Department of Education, a lack of oversight, support and guidance becomes apparent,” she said. “At the end of the day, removing something like this is going to be a very disruptive process for our students and faculties across the nation.”

Justin Robinson, 26, a cook from Stroudsburg, Pa., also shared their trepidation with the department’s potential removal.

“My nephew is going to be in school soon, so I’m worried about what this means for his future,” Robinson said. “Without federal guidelines, there’s no way to remain fair across the board. I worry about special needs students since they’re the ones at risk of losing a lot.”

The appointment of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education has also been met with apprehension by some. Known for her involvement in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), McMahon has very little experience in the field.

“Appointing someone with little, to no experience in education does little to inspire confidence,” Dr. Sockman said. “At a time when we’re facing a nationwide teacher shortage, we need leadership that uplifts and supports educators, not someone whose credentials are aligned with business more than with children’s learning.”

“I’m concerned about McMahon’s lack of experience in education because it could potentially lead to a lack of understanding of how various parts of the educational system function,” Holben noted. “As an educator, I hope that when the senate confirms this cabinet pick, that they do their due diligence and reflect on people’s skills, background and abilities to do the job.”

For some community members the department’s potential removal is significant cause for concern.

“I want people who care about education to be the ones running it,” Robinson stated. “We need to do better by our kids, for their future. We can’t just leave our messes for them to clean up.”

As the nation awaits President-elect Trump’s inauguration, educators and community members alike are calling to protect federal programs that ensure equal access to quality education.

“We need leaders who listen to the wisdom of educators and prioritize students’ needs,” Dr. Sockman stated. “Education is too important to leave behind, and I have hope that this person defers to educators in the know.”

With President-elect Trump’s inauguration looming, the future of the Department of Education and public education remain uncertain, with voices from communities like ESU calling for consistency and transparency.