NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee schools could lose nearly a fifth of their funding if President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education becomes reality.
That totals roughly $2.5 billion.
In some parts of the state, the cuts are already beginning.
Tanya T. Coates, president of the Tennessee Education Association, points to McNairy County as an example.
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“Some districts, such as McNairy County, have already made critical programming cuts like after-school programs prior to the start of the year,” Coates said.
The impact, she added, reaches beyond students.
“This is directly impacting parents, their ability to go to work and to know their children are safe and cared for at school,” she said.
Tennessee ranks No. 16 in the nation for per-pupil federal funding, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Last Tuesday, members of the Joint Federal Education Deregulation Cooperation Task Force met for the first time to assess what losing that money could mean.
“I think it is imperative we look at what could happen in Tennessee because the Department of Education is in a state of somewhat flux,” State Sen. Bill Powers (R-Clarksville) said.
Democrats on the task force question whether the state can realistically replace federal dollars.
“Well, if the USDA is not feeding the kids, who will?” Rep. Ronnie Glynn (D-Clarksville) asked.
Republican leaders maintain that no child will go without an education if federal support disappears.
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But educators like Coates warn that the consequences will be tangible: larger class sizes, fewer enrichment programs and a worsening teacher shortage.
“We need to make teaching more attractive again,” Coates said. “Starting with competitive pay, affordable degrees and cleaner pathways for educators to enter the profession.”
The task force has until Dec. 31 to recommend a plan for replacing federal education dollars.
Whether Tennessee can reimagine public education without Washington’s help remains the question hanging over every classroom.
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