For months, Education Department employees have been caught in a frustrating and uncertain situation.
Despite continuing to receive full pay and benefits, many employees have been unable to do their jobs due to an ongoing attempt by the Trump administration to eliminate their positions.
The situation has raised concerns over the efficiency of government spending and the long-term impact on education services across the United States.
As a federal worker affected by these changes, I want to share the challenges we face, as well as the importance of keeping the Education Department functioning for the public good.
The Struggle to Stay Employed
Since mid-March, a large portion of the Education Department’s staff, including myself, has been placed on paid administrative leave.
This move, orchestrated by the Trump administration, has kept us from carrying out our duties, despite our commitment to serve. We want to work, and we want to contribute to our country’s educational system, but instead, we’ve been sidelined with no clear purpose.
The federal government is reportedly spending more than $7 million each month to pay employees like us to sit idle, which many view as a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The decision to stop us from working was made without our consent. We never requested to be in this position, and it’s against our will.
We are fully committed to our roles and eager to contribute to the mission of the Education Department.
As civil servants, we understand the importance of our jobs, from providing grants to schools and financial aid to students, to ensuring civil rights protections and publishing critical data about educational institutions.
Unclear Communication and Emotional Impact
In early March, we were told that our positions would be eliminated as part of a force reduction, with little warning. We were given just a few days to wrap up our work before being put on leave.
By the next day, most of us were locked out of our work systems, and our access to everything except email was revoked.
This abrupt change was disorienting and emotionally taxing. Workers were required to return office equipment like laptops and security badges, leading to an emotionally charged environment as we faced uncertain futures.
Despite being told that our separation from the agency would be finalized by June 10, our termination was blocked by the judiciary in late May.
A federal judge ruled that firing such a large portion of the staff would significantly hinder the department’s ability to fulfill its legal obligations.
This decision was later backed by an appeals court, but the Trump administration continues to pursue an appeal to the Supreme Court. If successful, this could lead to the termination of our positions once again.
The Importance of the Education Department
The Education Department was created to provide essential services that support the nation’s educational institutions.
Among its many tasks, it administers billions of dollars in grants and financial aid, enforces civil rights protections in schools, and gathers and publishes critical data on the state of education in the country.
The agency’s work is vital to the success of schools and students across the US, and having all of its 4,100 employees working is crucial for the department to function effectively.
Recently, Congress approved the Education Department’s funding and staffing levels, which demonstrates that the department should not be dismantled.
Despite this, the Trump administration has pushed forward with plans to cut staff by almost 50%, without the necessary congressional authorization.
These actions undermine the critical work the department does and put the future of the nation’s education system at risk.
The Judicial Intervention and What’s Next
In late May, the legal system intervened, halting the mass firings and restoring the positions of employees who had been let go.
This intervention came after a federal judge ruled that such a drastic cut would impair the Education Department’s ability to meet its legal responsibilities.
While this decision was a victory for workers, the administration has requested the Supreme Court to block the ruling, and the future of our positions remains uncertain.
Until a decision is made, we continue to wait and hope. Despite the frustration of being unable to work, we are committed to staying strong and hopeful that the courts will stand by their ruling.
We are eager to return to our roles and contribute to the mission of the Education Department, ensuring that our schools and students continue to receive the support they need.
The ongoing efforts to dismantle the Education Department by slashing staff and reducing its functions is not only a threat to the livelihoods of dedicated federal workers but also to the future of the nation’s education system.
As employees who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, we are committed to returning to work and serving the public.
The Education Department plays a crucial role in the development and success of schools, students, and educators across the country. Our goal is to continue doing our part in ensuring that the mission of the department is fulfilled, for the benefit f all.
