Trump seeks to close the Dept. of Education. Mo Green wants to ‘minimize the impacts’ in NC
After President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March calling for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, N.C. Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green says he’s aiming for “minimal disruption” to the state’s public schools.
Trump signed the order March 20 ordering Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the states.” Previously, the department announced the termination of around 2,000 employees – nearly half its staff. Experts say it would take an act of Congress to officially eliminate the department.
Supporters of the move argue the department is an example of bloated federal bureaucracy and that its functions should be the prerogative of states, rather than the federal government. Opponents say the closing the department would mean less resources for socioeconomically disadvantaged students and those with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Education distributes funding for K-12 education to states through grants, some of which are automatically awarded to schools and some of which are awarded based on a competitive process. CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill’s 2025-26 budget proposal released last week foresees about 6% of next year’s budget coming from federal sources.
Many districts heavily rely on Title I funding, which is awarded by the federal government to schools with a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students. Over half of CMS schools receive Title I funding. Around 2,100 CMS employees are currently paid with Title I funds, accounting for over 10% of the district’s total workforce.
Even if the department is dismantled, though, that doesn’t mean Title I funding will go away. It could be moved under the purview of another department. But the Department of Education already stopped funding more than $600 million in federal grants, including $90 million in N.C., it said were being used to train teachers in “divisive ideologies.”
Q&A with NC Superintendent Mo Green
Here’s what Green told The Charlotte Observer about how his North Carolina agency is preparing.
Q: Trump has said he seeks to give its powers and responsibilities to the states. Has NCDPI begun taking any steps in response to the executive order issued Mar. 20? If so, what have those been? If not, why not?
A: The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has been assessing President Trump’s Executive Order, which outlines a plan to close the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and “return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely,” to determine potential impacts on North Carolina public schools.
The Trump Administration and other federal officials have indicated that closing the USDOE will need to be approved by Congress. As a result, NCDPI is taking a measured approach rather than reacting hastily.
In addition to analyzing the executive order’s specifics and related communications, DPI is sharing information with school district and charter school leaders and advocating for continued federal funding. Our priority is ensuring minimal disruption to services for our 1.5 million public school students, particularly those served by federal programs.
Q: What does this executive order mean practically for local school districts in NC right now? Has anything changed yet?
A: Prior to the Executive Order being issued, the USDOE terminated certain grants to school districts for teacher recruitment and retention. Since the issuance of the Executive Order, there have not been any immediate changes to funding or operations for local school districts and charter schools by the USDOE. However, this situation is fluid.
We are advising district and charter school leaders to proceed with their current plans while NCDPI works to provide guidance as conditions at the federal level change. The most significant immediate impact is uncertainty, which is why we are committed to providing clear, timely information to our districts and charter schools as we learn more.
Q: With the closure of the Department of Education, do you have plans for further protections or programs specifically for schools with a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students or students with disabilities, many of which rely on federal funding?
A: NCDPI is committed to trying to maintain and enhance the educational opportunities for all students, regardless of changes at the federal level. Protecting our most vulnerable students is a high priority during this transition.
North Carolina receives approximately $1.1 billion in federal education funding that directly supports students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and various programs, including Career and Technical Education programs. If these or other significant funds are threatened or stopped, then we will enact a very different response in coordination with the Governor, the General Assembly and other stakeholders across the state.
Q: What do you have to say to NC educators and parents who are anxious about what this means for their local schools? What’s most important for folks to know?
A: I understand the anxiety this situation creates, and I want to assure North Carolina’s educators and parents that we are working to minimize the impacts on our schools. The most important thing to know is that North Carolina has a strong tradition of educational leadership, and we will draw on that strength during this transition.
Our public schools will continue serving students, and NCDPI is committed to providing the support needed to maintain high-quality education. While we cannot control federal decisions, we can control our response to them. My team is focused on solutions, not just problems. I encourage everyone to stay informed through official NCDPI channels rather than speculation and know that my commitment to the 1.5 million public school students across our state remains unwavering.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
