Statement on Possible Department of Education Shutdown

The recent threat to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education raises serious concerns about the future of federal education support, but it does not change one fundamental truth: in Kentucky, it is the state legislature—not the federal government—that bears the constitutional responsibility to ensure every student receives an adequate and equitable education.

For decades, Kentucky lawmakers have underfunded our public schools, leading to systemic deficiencies and disproportionate reliance on federal support from our historically under-resourced communities. The uncertainty at the national level only underscores the urgency for state leaders to take action now—to invest in hiring and retaining high-quality teachers, provide essential mental health resources, ensure safe and reliable transportation, and fully fund our schools to meet students’ needs.