More discussion on local effects of potential dissolution of Department of Education

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)–  Discussion is continuing about how cuts to the federal Department of Education will affect local schools.

Doors were closed at the Department’s office today in Washington as Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced they were beginning cuts to staff.

There has been ongoing debate here in Hamilton County as to how education will be affected by the potential shuttering of the Department of Education.

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp told commissioners that he had a discussion with officials from Governor Bill Lee’s office about how the state of Tennessee has been in communication with the White House on this issue.

He says that there are some key items his office wants to see continue.

“We all have a shared interest, regardless of party affiliation, in programs such as free and reduced lunch being protected. But there is also some optimism that if these funds come back to states and even into local governments where LEAs may have more oversight that it may benefit students and teachers and parents for these dollars,” said Mayor Wamp.

Congress would ultimately have to approve any dissolution of the Department of Education.