President Trump is working to make good on his campaign promises to send education back to the states by issuing an executive order essentially calling for the closure of the US Department of Education. Of course, the USDOE cannot be fully closed without the consent of Congress. As someone who deeply respects the Office of the President, President Trump, and his commitment to returning power to the states, I believe it’s important to consider what this historic move could mean for our local schools here in rural Mississippi.
In my opinion, Washington, D.C. has grown too powerful in areas that should be locally controlled. Education is one of them. No one knows the needs of our students better than the families, educators, and community leaders right here at home. If the intent of executive order moves forward, Mississippi would likely gain more authority over our schools—curriculum priorities, testing requirements, and funding priorities could be decided closer to home, where local values and common sense guide us. That’s a win for those of us who believe in limited federal government and local control.
There’s also the potential for fewer mandates and less red tape. Federal programs often come with strings attached, creating burdens for small districts like ours with limited staff and resources. Without those federal hoops to jump through, we could spend more time focused on students and less on paperwork.
However, with greater freedom comes greater responsibility. Federal funding currently supports important programs like Title I for low-income students, IDEA for students with disabilities, school nutrition programs, and professional development for teachers. If the U.S. Department of Education is dismantled, decisions about how to continue—or replace—those funding streams would fall to the state. Mississippi would need to step up to ensure no child falls through the cracks, especially our most vulnerable learners.
Another consideration is consistency. The Department of Education, while imperfect, has helped ensure that all students, regardless of zip code, have opportunities for high quality education. Without federal oversight, there’s a risk that educational quality could vary even more widely from state to state and community to community. We would need a strong commitment from Mississippi leaders and local leaders to maintain high expectations for all children.
Lastly, change on this scale is complicated. Transitioning authority from federal to state systems takes time, careful planning, and resources. We need clarity about who’s in charge of what, and how funding will be distributed, to avoid disruption for our students, staff, and families.
At the end of the day, I share President Trump’s belief that decisions are best made as close to the people as possible. If we move forward with dismantling the Department of Education, our success will depend on strong leadership at the state level and local communities working together to keep students at the center.
I remain committed to doing just that—serving our families, protecting our values, and working to ensure every child in the Union Public School District and Mississippi receives a high-quality education.
Dr. Tyler Hansford serves as the Superintendent of the Union Public School District. He is the President-Elect of Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and serves as the President of the East Mississippi Center for Educational Development.
