State group calls on local leaders to protect Department of Education

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Concerns are growing amongst the education community as the president is looking to decide what could become of the Department of Education.

At the Lisa Rice Library the group Protect Our Schools KY held a conference speaking to their displeasure of the possibility of the dissolution of the DOE, and how it could affect them. Teachers, staff and parents spoke to how losing the federal funding from the DOE could be detrimental to our school systems, especially those in rural districts demanding our elected officials protect our children, especially those who are most vulnerable.

A growing concern is how children who may come from low income households, will receive both food and the education tools they receive to have a successful school year.

“These students come in wondering where they’re going to get food. They’re wondering if they have a place to sleep. A lot of times they’re worried because, you know, a parent is not at home or a grandparent is taking care of them and they have bigger things than what is two plus two. So we have to meet those needs first. And we can’t do those without some of these funds” said Butler County Schools Special Education Teacher Tracy Morris.

All the speakers agreed that these cuts would impact those who need the most help especially those in rural counties across Kentucky and that so often these students are forgotten about.