Local and state educators told U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan and Rep. Maggie Goodlander, both D-N.H., Monday that they face the most uncertainty ever over the future of federal Department of Education programs.
Josh Gagnon, director of University of New Hampshire TRIO Upward Bound, said his program will end on June 1 unless the U.S. Department of Education agrees to release federal money that Congress has approved.
Gagnon said many of the 2,500 students in his programs are first-generation Americans and these offerings give them a “sense of belonging” before they attend two- or four-year college courses.
He met with a group of parents and students over the weekend.
“I couldn’t give them an answer whether or not there will be a summer program,” Gagnon said during a roundtable at Manchester Community College (MCC).
Robert Thompson, Hampstead’s superintendent of schools, said the district learns its federal allotment of grants by April every year.
“We still have not heard what federal funding we will receive next year; it’s the latest point we have ever seen,” Thompson said.
State education officials told Thompson not to expect to receive any money under federal Title II, used for teacher development and initiatives to reduce class sizes.
Paul Beaudin, the new president of MCC, sounded the alarm that Trump administration changes to make Pell Grants students take more courses to stay eligible could jeopardize continued support; 34% of MCC’s students are in the program.
“Many of our students are working full time and the age of our students tends to be higher as well.They don’t have the time to take on an additional course load,” Beaudin said.
‘Weakening’ of Dept. of Education
Hassan said while President Donald Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally abolish the Department of Education, his administration has taken steps in that direction.
“By taking away funds, slowing down the flow of grants or canceling them altogether they are effectuating a significant weakening of the department if not abolishing it,” Hassan said.
Goodlander said she’s working on a congressional task force to support the Department of Education’s work.
“This is a really difficult time and a real challenge for families and students,” Goodlander said.
Others serving on the roundtable Monday were Catherine Provencher, chancellor of the University System of New Hampshire; Stephanie Lesperance, chief strategy officer of N.H. GEAR UP Alliance; Erin Anderson, principal of Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua; and Sue Hannan, president of the Manchester Education Association.
An hour before the Hassan-Goodlander event, top federal Department of Health and Human Services officials hosted a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Head Start, a program to fight poverty that has grown into a national model for early learning, health and nutrition, and family support to over 40 million children and families.
“Since its creation, Head Start has offered a foundation to address vulnerable families’ most pressing concerns,” said Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary at the Administration of children and Families.
“As we look to the future, we are excited to update the program to best serve the children of the 21st century.”
The Head Start celebration was held at the Community Action Partnership of Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties offices on Silver Street in Manchester.
