An open Letter to Rep. Tenney

Dear Representative Tenney,

What is going to happen to the federal funding received by the schools in your congressional district when the President shuts down the United States Department of Education? Do you support his proposal to close down this agency and “return it to the states” ? You have openly and proudly supported most, if not all, of the President’s agenda since you were first elected to Congress from the district where you reside in 2017.
When the federal Education Department closes, will the money that would have been sent to schools be sent to state education departments allowing them allocate it to the schools? Or will federal education dollars cease to exist along with the federal department?
Where will the money local schools previously received from the federal government come from? Will New York State be expected to replace those funds? The New York State budget is notoriously difficult to reach an agreement on. State aid to schools is always one of the most contentious issues the governor and the assembly wrestle with each spring. You are well aware of this fact, because you participated in those negotiations from 2011 – 2017 while serving as a state representative.
How can school districts create their budgets for the next school year when one of the three legs of the financial stool that supports them is uncertain? Will local schools be required to bear the burden of raising the money previously provided by the federal department? Will schools be faced with the unacceptable choice of cutting curriculum and staff to make up for the lack of funds? Which people and programs do you imagine they want to eliminate?
Does the Constitution of the State of New York guarantee students the right a sound basic education? You know it does. How is this education paid for? It is paid for with tax dollars; local, state and federal tax dollars. Closing the Federal Department of Education merely transfers the cost to the state and local jurisdictions. It will not reduce taxes. It will reduce the quality of education for all children.

Tracy W. Allen, Retired Educator, member New York State United Teachers
Canandaigua, N.Y.

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