Public schools could see devastating losses of federal funds, threatening to close programs that have been critical to Mississippi’s recent progress in student achievement and to cause school districts to default on financial obligations.
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has notified the Mississippi Department of Education that it intends to take back $137-million in federal funds that were allocated to Mississippi public schools in response to the COVID pandemic. These funds are obligated for programs and projects that are underway but for which final payments are still pending, based upon the USDE’s previously approved deadline of March 31, 2026. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans warned that school districts “have contractual obligations that cannot simply be terminated without significant financial, educational, and legal consequences.”
Additionally, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon intends to shutter the USDE and transfer its responsibilities to other federal agencies, putting at risk another $2-billion annually in federal dollars on which Mississippi’s public schools rely. Currently, those funds are used primarily for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to provide additional academic support for children living in poverty (Title I). Billionaire school choice backers are lobbying to send these critical funds to private schools instead. Among the options floated are discretionary grants that would give broad authority to Gov. Reeves, a school choice promoter, to direct the use of the federal dollars.
There are two easy ways you can help, with just a few minutes of your time:
- Call your U.S. Congressman and both U.S. Senators and ask that they protect children – some of Mississippi’s most vulnerable – from harmful cuts to the federally-funded public school services on which they depend. Let them know that you don’t want your tax dollars diverted to private schools.
- Call Gov. Reeves with the same message.
Message:
Protect Mississippi children from harmful cuts to critical federally-funded public school services and to OPPOSE the diversion of any tax dollars to private schools.
Find contact information for your U.S. Congressman
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith
District Office: 601.965.4459
U.S. Capitol: 202.224.5054
Senator Roger Wicker
District Office: 601.965.4644
U.S. Capitol: 202.224.6253
Gov. Tate Reeves: 601.359.3150
Strong public schools improve the quality of life of every single Mississippian, driving economic development, higher average income, and lower crime rates. The terrific work being done in Mississippi’s public schools has won our state numerous accolades and recognition on a national scale in recent months, helping to drive much-needed economic development and progress statewide. All of that will be at risk if large swaths of the public funds our schools rely on are shifted to private academies.
Our elected officials need to hear from you. Please call right away. Then ask two other public school supporters to call, too. Our children and teachers are counting on us, and together, we’ve got this!
