DURHAM, NC - It was billed as a prayer breakfast at Durham’s St. Joseph AME Church, and superintendent of public instruction Mo Green wasted no time asking for prayers - and support - from the hundreds packed inside.
During his 30 minute long speech Saturday, Green warned there is a lot on the line as President Donald Trump takes aim at the federal Department of Education - including funding.
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“For North Carolina, it’s well over a billion dollars,” said Green. “You’re talking about over 11% of North Carolina’s budget.”
Green says that funding supports 14,000 positions at public schools around the state - plus grants for teacher training and recruitment - and it could be catastrophic to lose some, or all of it.
“That would be a really horrific situation,” Green said.
Green’s remarks came as part of a state-wide listening tour. The tour was billed as a chance to listen to students, parents and educators about how to improve education in North Carolina. But the tour’s timing has meant Green has had to spend much of the trip addressing the Federal elephant in the room: Donald Trump’s attempts to shutter the Department of Education.
Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the department on March 20, and had already slashed the department’s staff earlier in the month. Fully closing the department would take an act of Congress.
In a fact sheet published that same day the executive order was signed, the White House argued the DoE “has failed students, parents and teachers,” and that getting rid of the department will “move education back to the states where it belongs.”
In a statement Saturday, the NCGOP said “the U.S. Department of Education has not meaningfully improved test scores or school performance over the past 45 years” and that “Democrats have no plan to fix these problems and attack those who do.”
During his speech, Green argued the Department of Education has played a key role in supporting public schools across the nation, and making sure they are open and accessible to all.
“There are kids who come with absolutely nothing - and some that come with absolutely everything. And we endeavor to say no matter where you are, we will provide the very best education possible,” Green said.
Green acknowledged much is still uncertain with Trump’s DoE dismantling, but said any disruption could have a negative impact on students. He also suggested that the Trump administration might not cut education funding to the state, but might instead direct that funding through the General Assembly, raising the possibility that the Republican-controlled body could redirect some or all of those funds away from public education.
Green closed his remarks Saturday with a request from the crowd, asking everyone in attendance for their full support for public schools, teachers, and students, arguing it's the only way public education in North Carolina can thrive.