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Suffolk board backs resolution supporting U.S. Department of Education after divided debate
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Summary
After an hour of debate, the Suffolk City School Board approved a resolution expressing support for the U.S. Department of Education and directed staff to send copies to federal lawmakers; vote was 4–2 with two abstentions recorded earlier in related votes.
The Suffolk City School Board adopted a resolution on March 13 expressing the board’s support for the U.S. Department of Education and asked staff to send the resolution to the city’s congressional delegation.
The resolution (number 24/25‑22) outlined the department’s historical role in administering federal education programs, civil‑rights enforcement and aid programs such as Title I and IDEA, and recited that Suffolk Public Schools received about $1,092,000 in federal funds for fiscal 2024–25 (Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, Medicaid and related programs) as described in the resolution text.
Board discussion on the resolution was lengthy and divided. Supporters argued federal funding and federal civil‑rights enforcement are important to vulnerable students and Title I schools in Suffolk. Board member Fields, citing IDEA and Title I, urged support and warned of consequences if protections and funding were removed. Several board members urged the board to collect constituent pros and cons for submission to federal and state representatives; Vice Chair McGee proposed amending the resolution to include local concerns but ultimately moved that the committee collect and forward constituent input separately.
Attorney Waller advised that abolishing the Department of Education would require congressional action, and several board members said they were undecided about the concrete consequences if the Department were scaled back at the federal level. After debate, the resolution was approved. The formal vote recorded: Fields — yes; Jenkins — yes; Riddick — yes; Slinglove — no; McGee — no; Chair Howell — yes; Brittingham — yes (vote recorded during roll call). The chair announced "Motion passed." The approved resolution directed a copy to be sent to U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans.
Board members who voted against the resolution said they were uncertain about the likely effects of hypothetical federal changes on funding and preferred additional time to collect constituent feedback; supporters said prompt vocal support would help protect Title I, IDEA and other programs for low‑income and disabled students.
