Teachers from the Southeast Delco School District held a rally Tuesday at Darby Township Elementary School to warn about the effect federal education funding cuts would have on at-risk students in the district and nation-wide.
President Trump has suggested that the U.S. Department of Education be eliminated.
Cuts to U.S. Department of Education programs and funding would mean devastating losses for low-income students. students with disabilities, and other highly vulnerable students, said the teachers and members of the American Federation of Teachers union, which organized the protest.
Nearly 4,000 students in the Southeast Delco School District are helped by federal funding, with over 80 percent of district students relying on programs, services, and staff tied to federal funding, said Southeast Delco District Superintendent Dr. Yamil Sanchez Rivera.
“Our school’s need more resources, not less, “ Rivera said. “The need is not only here in the Southeast Delco School District but also in the other 14 school districts throughout Delaware County.”
Loss of federal support could mean higher municipal property taxes, teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and loss of civil rights protections against discrimination, according to various attendees at the rally.
They urged community members to advocate for continued federal support.
Read more about this local protest rally in the Daily Times.
