Trump Administration Moves to Cut Education Payments, Delaying Critical Funds and Putting Wisconsin Schools at Risk

MADISON – The Trump administration’s mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education are already putting Wisconsin schools in danger of severe delays and funding disruptions—and could result in up to $1 billion in lost funding.

Today, the Department of Education officially announced a reduction in force, eliminating hundreds of positions, including the very staff responsible for processing federal education payments. These reckless cuts mean Wisconsin schools will now face delays, confusion, and potentially permanent funding losses.

This isn’t just a bureaucratic shake-up—it’s an attack on every Wisconsin student, teacher, and school. If federal payments slow down or stop entirely, schools will immediately feel the effects:

• Special education programs could face severe funding gaps, leaving students with disabilities without critical support.
• School meal programs could be delayed, threatening food security for thousands of children.
• Classroom resources, teacher training, and student support programs could be slashed or put on hold indefinitely.
• Mental health services for students—already stretched thin—could be severely impacted.

Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, responded:

“Every parent, teacher, and student in Wisconsin should be alarmed by what’s happening. The Trump administration is gutting the very agency responsible for ensuring that schools receive the funding they are owed. If payments stop or even get delayed, schools won’t be able to provide the critical services that families rely on every day.”

“Wisconsin schools stand to lose up to $1 billion if these cuts continue. That’s funding for students with disabilities, school meals, mental health support, and classroom resources. This is not some minor restructuring—this is an intentional effort to delay and eliminate education funding, and Wisconsin’s students will suffer the consequences.”

Meanwhile, lobbyist Brittany Kinser is staying quiet while her MAGA donors are cheering on these cuts. Instead of standing up for Wisconsin’s schools, she shrugged off these devastating cuts as if they wouldn’t impact students, saying about Trump’s reckless plan “it’s fine.”

“Either Kinser is dangerously naïve, or she’s completely fine with Wisconsin losing up to $1 billion in federal education funding. Either way, she’s proving she has no business leading our schools.”

The reality is setting in—with the Department of Education laying off half its staff, Wisconsin schools will face uncertainty, delays, and potentially permanent cuts. The difference in this race couldn’t be clearer: Jill Underly is fighting for Wisconsin’s students, teachers, and schools while Brittany Kinser is standing with Trump while he cuts education funding.

This is an education crisis unfolding in real time. Wisconsin cannot afford leadership that refuses to fight for our schools.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.