LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A White House directive threatening to cut public school funding over the use of diversity, equity and inclusion programs will not be moving forward after being blocked by a federal judge. It’s the latest executive action targeting education that lawmakers believe would impact Kentucky schools.
“We shouldn’t be making cuts right now to everything from teachers in the classroom to school meals. That’s not going to pair our country for the future,” Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, said during a visit to Johnsontown Road Elementary in Louisville.
McGarvey’s visit comes as the Trump administration has backed measures that would change the educational landscape. It includes plans to eliminate the federal Department of Education.
“We’re going to fight to make sure that JCPS (Jefferson County Public Schools) has all of the resources it needs because it means that our kids have all the resources they need,” McGarvey said. “You know what, under the Trump administration right now, when he’s talking about cutting the Department of Education, which would mean a billion dollars into Kentucky public schools, that’s why we’re fighting so hard.”
School principal Stephen Howard said Johnsontown Road Elementary relies heavily on federal funding. Adding his students are primarily low income, are on free or reduced lunch, and increasingly are English language learners.
“On belief of Johnsontown Road, absolutely we’re concerned and we hope that things stay the way they are,” Howard said.
Thursday, a federal judge blocked the president from cutting funding to districts that don’t halt the use of DEI programs. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, who this week announced his bid to replace Mitch McConnell next year, addressed this development.
“We want every child to succeed in education based on hard work, determination, merit, upward mobility regardless of the color of their skin, regardless of national origin, regardless of any of these categories that have nothing to do with giving these young kids in schools the best opportunity to succeed,” Barr said.
“Not teaching history, not preparing our kids for the world around them, emphasizing potentially inequity or exclusiveness over diversity, equity and inclusion is the wrong approach to take,” McGarvey said.
McGarvey called on both Democrats and Republicans to stand up for the separation of powers between the branches of government. Believing a president cannot eliminate the Department of Education, as it was created through an act of Congress.
