By CaraLynn Caulfield
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling has cleared the way for the Trump administration to eliminate nearly 1,400 jobs at the U.S. Department of Education — a move that could dramatically reduce the federal government’s role in public education. In a state like New York, where hundreds of school districts depend on federal aid, the decision is prompting concern among education leaders and policymakers.
The court’s July 14 decision lifted a lower court injunction, allowing the administration to proceed with its plan to downsize — and eventually dismantle — the department. Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the ruling, framing it as a step toward reducing bureaucracy and restoring “excellence in American education.”
“We will carry out the reduction in force to promote efficiency and accountability and to ensure resources are directed where they matter most – to students, parents, and teachers,” McMahon said.
But New York officials say those federal resources are essential to running the state’s schools. The state is one of 20 — along with the District of Columbia — that sued to block the reorganization plan, citing risks to civil rights enforcement, grant distribution, and services for vulnerable students. Governor Kathy Hochul called the Supreme Court’s ruling “an attack on public education,” warning it could trigger “devastating layoffs, deeper funding cuts and worse outcomes for our kids.”
On Long Island, school leaders are bracing for ripple effects. Timothy Eagen, president of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association, said the layoffs could immediately disrupt services that support students with disabilities, English language learners, and children in low-income communities.
“This decision will have the largest impact on service and funding, which will likely indirectly affect special programs in the short term, with potential larger impacts to follow,” Eagen said. “Should federal funding be reduced or eliminated, this could impact the level of student support districts are able to provide.”
He also raised concerns about losing access to federal guidance — especially for navigating complex grant programs like Title I and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Without dedicated staff at the federal level, he said, districts could struggle to manage compliance and maintain essential programming. “Districts should be looking closely at their federal Title and IDEA funding,” Eagen said. “In the event that these sources are cut, contingency plans will be needed.”
While many in the state view the ruling as a setback, not all lawmakers are opposed. NYS Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) welcomed the decision, arguing it reflects voters’ desire for a leaner, more efficient federal government.
“I have full confidence in President Trump’s leadership and his commitment to restoring efficiency, accountability, and common sense in government,” Brown said. “What some critics call ‘layoffs’ are in fact smart, responsible belt-tightening. Long Island families deserve a federal government that works for them — not a top-heavy agency that drains resources before they reach our classrooms.”
Brown added that he plans to work with his colleagues in Albany to ensure any federal savings are “reinvested in teachers, students, and families right here on Long Island.”