Alabama Republican Governor Kay Ivey has issued statements supporting President Trump’s efforts to reduce or eliminate the federal Department of Education. Alabama.com reports that Ivey has complete faith in Trump.
She said she’s “all for shrinking government wherever we can.” These statements incensed some Alabama residents, who were recently ranked 45th in education. Federal funds account for a sizable portion of the state’s educational budget, leaving many frustrated with the governor.
The top comment on the Alabama subreddit post about this story is: “OK, MeeMaw, hit us with the plan to replace those federal dollars then.” This question rings true in many parts of Alabama, which heavily relies on federal funds for its educational budget.
According to the Alabama.com article, the DOE provides approximately 10% of K-12 school funding and nearly 25% of higher education funding. Alabama officials appear to believe that the money will flow without the government agency. State Superintendent Eric Mackey stated:
“Our schools depend on these funds, and as long as the funds continue to be made available for our schools, less federal regulation and burdensome paperwork we would welcome.”
Alabama’s state Department of Education is ranked 39th in funding and 41st in school spending nationwide. While other states receive more federal funding, the DOE’s contribution carries significant weight.
Cutting the Department of Education was one of the most contentious proposals in the divisive Project 2025 plan. While Trump distanced himself from its tenants during the campaign, many of his decisions have followed their lead.
The Alabama governor was delighted to support Trump’s policies, but the consequences have already begun to emerge. The same day, Alabama.com reported a $9 million delay in teacher salary reimbursements due to a technical glitch in a federal funding portal. This triggered a brief panic among the school board.
The majority of funds come through the state DOE, but they are reimbursed by federal funds. State officials received messages indicating a lack of staffing in Washington. These issues could persist as the DOE undergoes massive cuts. Superintendent Mackey stated, “We can float money for one, two, or three days, but a quarter would be a problem.”
Cuts to the DOE will have an impact on funding, as demonstrated by the most recent example. Governor Kay Ivey’s support for Trump’s policies has sparked a lot of questions and concerns among her constituents.
While early signs of the plan’s negative impact are clear, Alabama residents will have to wait and see how Trump’s cuts affect their educational system.