BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- A large group of Michigan educators is fed up with the way the Trump Administration is treating education in its second term, and have come together to show lawmakers a united front for change.

On Wednesday, a joint letter signed by over 90 school board members in 20 counties, including five Michigan State Board of Education members, was hand-delivered to Congresswoman Lisa McClain.

The letter demands lawmakers defend public education, fully fund Michigan’s public schools, and condemn the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education united to sign the letter in unison. 

Local educators who signed the letter:

• Elnora Gavin, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Dashuna Robinson, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Angela Doyle, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Trenton Bowens, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Reinaldo Tripplett, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Matthew Bradley, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Stephanie Rockette-Martin, Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Stephen Donnelly, New Buffalo Area Schools
• Nicole Springer, River Valley School District
• Nick Yoder, Edwardsburg Public Schools

“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, was enacted in 1975 to protect the rights of children with disabilities and the federal government has promised to cover 40% of special education costs, yet has never come close. This is about more than dollars — it's about dignity, equity, and civil rights,” says Rochester Community Schools Board Member Barb Anness.

“We call on Congress to support public education and students with disabilities by passing the Keep Our PACT Act— guaranteeing consistent, full funding for IDEA and Title I. We ask Rep. McClain to work with Rep. Tim Walberg, Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, to get a hearing for this bill in Congress.”

According to the letter, Michigan stands to lose approximately 10 percent of K-12 funding federally, which is a problem for a state already plagued by a $4.5 billion education funding gap.

“Congresswoman McClain sits on the US Education Committee. She can DO something about the cuts to public schools. That is why we are here,” said Oxford parent Emily Busch.

“Our students are facing a mental health crisis many years in the making. And yet Michigan has the second highest student to counselor ratio in the country. We have on average one counselor for over 600 students when the recommendation is 1 to 250. We need to do better for our kids.”

Excerpt from the letter:

The DOE is vital to ensuring that our country’s vision for public education remains a priority.

With current administration threatening to either close or severely cut the DOE’s budget, we urge Congressional representatives to advocate on behalf of our public schools.

Here are a few reasons the DOE is essential to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality public education:

Each year, the DOE administers over $100 billion to states, schools, and higher education institutions—just two percent of our federal budget. These funds strengthen public education systems to ensure educational opportunities for all students. This funding also directly benefits the families and communities who are either employed in our local public schools or provide services to those schools.

The DOE plays a critical role in enforcing civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or language.

For example:

• Title IX: Protects students from gender-based discrimination
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Special Education Funding: Provides 7.6 million students with disabilities access to free and appropriate public education, and eases the financial burden on states and localities.
• Title I: Provide $17 billion annually to schools serving over 25 million low-income students.

The DOE provides Pell Grants to nearly 7 million low-income students so that they can afford higher education and improve their own and their families’ well-being. Pell Grants have been shown to reduce the affordability gap for lower-income students, which leads to more people being able to enroll and complete programs in higher education.

The DOE partners with states and local school districts to implement key initiatives such as teacher training, literacy and STEM education, and evidence-based programs to improve student outcomes. During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, it distributed billions through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), helping schools remain operational and safe.

A well-educated population is essential for maintaining the United States’ global competitiveness. Programs overseen by the DOE prepare students for 21st-century jobs and address critical skill gaps. Research demonstrates that every $1 invested in public education yields $2.50 in economic benefits.

Overall, the letter urges lawmakers to:

• Increase state and federal investment in K-12 public education
• Close equity gaps in funding for special education, English language learners, and students in high-poverty communities
• Oppose voucher schemes that divert public dollars to private interests
• Strengthen support for educators and school staff

“I’ve seen that children who are hungry cannot learn. And I know how important the services - and funding - provided by the Department of Education are to our public schools. Education has always been a shared American value — a cornerstone of our democracy. We’re here because we believe in strong, well-funded, healing schools where every child can thrive in the classroom and beyond,” said educator Emily Sommer.