By J. Graber
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

Scottsdale Unified School District officials remain in a holding pattern as President Trump continues his efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

Trump signed an executive order earlier this month that begins the process of dismantling the cabinet-level agency created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, though its ultimate demise would take an act of Congress.
Still, the department already has shed around 2,000 staffers – nearly half its workforce – through layoffs and buyouts, and canceled dozens of research contracts, according to the Pew Research Center.

However, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said on CNN that efforts to do away with the agency doesn’t mean cutting federal funding for programs that directly affect students like money for Title I schools (schools with low income students) or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), (which assures students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment).

Funding for these types of programs are likely to simply come through different federal agencies, McMahon said.

Scottsdale Unified School District Superintendent Scott Menzel said he is taking a wait and see approach to how the situation would affect the district.

“As discussions continue about the future of the U.S. Department of Education, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) remains committed to ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education, regardless of any restructuring,” Menzel said in a written statement.

“We receive federal funding for Title I support for low-income students, IDEA funding for special education and grants that provide staff and student support. It is unclear how a shift in these funding responsibilities to the state would impact the services provided. There have been assurances that there will not be a disruption in the flow of funding, and we are hopeful that is the case in order to ensure timely delivery of required services to our students.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of the Executive Order and advocate for policies that protect and improve educational opportunities for all students.”

In fiscal 2024, according to the Pew Research Center, the DOE’s major grant programs included $18.8 billion for schools with large numbers of poor, neglected, delinquent and other “educationally disadvantaged” students and $15.5 billion for special education programs for students with disabilities.
The department of education currently has a $268 billion budget, or 4% of overall federal spending, according to the Pew Research Center.

Arizona K-12 schools receive $2.36 billion, or $2,088 per pupil, from the federal government, according to the Education Data Initiative.

Scottsdale Unified received nearly $21.7 million in federal funds this fiscal year, according to Scottsdale Unified School District spokeswoman Kristine Harrington.

A legal battle is already underway, despite promises from the Trump administration not to cut funding though.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education.

“The Department of Education was established by Congress, and it is Congress alone that has the authority to eliminate it,” Mayes said in a written statement dated March 24. “The Trump administration’s reckless and unilateral attempt to dismantle this critical agency is illegal and will harm students and families – particularly rural students and students with disabilities. I am seeking a preliminary injunction to stop this chaos and preserve critical services Arizonans rely on.”

Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines. J. Graber can be reached at jgraber@iniusa.org.