Recent cuts to the Department of Education by the Trump administration have shaken local school districts across the country, reaching Addison County schools that have faced declining student enrollment and currently rely on federal funding for a variety of purposes. Superintendents of local school districts have expressed their fears of possible funding cuts and voiced support for Vermont’s attempts to fight or impede the looming changes.
Massive cuts to staffing at the Department of Education and the loss of funding such as $1.7 million in Department of Agriculture grants that previously supported schools’ local food purchases pose a serious threat to local school districts across the state. The Department of Education not only distributes federal funding but also enforces civil rights laws in schools, oversees funding for low-income students and financially supports students with disabilities.
Vermont’s school system has struggled with a decline in student enrollment, which has led to cost inefficiencies in rural areas such as Addison County.
Addison Central School District (ACSD), which serves 1,770 students, relies on federal funding through programs such as IDEA, Title I, Title II and Title III, and Medicaid funding. IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act) ensures students with disabilities receive the appropriate financial support needed. Titles I, II and III mainly focus on supporting districts with low-income students and helping support immigrant students.
Sheila Soule, superintendent of Addison Northwest Unified School District (ANSWD) — which serves 917 students — emphasized that this kind of funding supports critical services for students in need.
“ANWSD receives about five percent of its funding directly from federal sources, which include support for low-income students, special education programs, and other essential services,” Soule said in an interview with The Campus.“While specific details are still emerging, federal programs such as Title I grants for low-income schools and funding for special education services are at risk.”
Since funding is pre-approved for the upcoming school year, school districts are not feeling the immediate effects of changes at the federal level. However, Soule said there is a lot of anxious anticipation and discussion about how it will impact the FY 2026–27 school year.
“The proposed cuts have caused uncertainty among educators statewide. While it's too early to quantify the impact on staff retention, the potential loss of funding for programs and positions is a significant concern for teachers and staff,” Soule said.
Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark joined 20 other Democratic attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit on March 13 against the Trump administration. The lawsuit argues that the layoffs render the Department of Education incapable of fulfilling its legal obligations and that dismantling the agency would require congressional approval.
“I’m hopeful that we can slow action down at the federal level so that we can proceed plan fully through any changes,” said Wendy Baker, superintendent of ACSD.
“I support the lawsuit and hope that the impact will delay or halt the dismantling of the DOE,” Soule said, agreeing with Baker’s position on the threat of federal cuts. “If the feds are not going to support public education, the money should be returned to the state to prop up needed programs and services. We can't continue to pay the same amount of federal tax and get less in return.”
The Trump administration's approach may extend beyond defunding. Project 2025 has called for schools to stop educating students about race and for school libraries to be punished if they contain books with transgender issues or content. Such proposals raise concerns about the future of Vermont’s curriculum, given the ideological divide between the federal government and state leadership.
Baker suggested that citizens should stay updated with state policies to reduce uncertainty.
“State-level policy choices are important to follow. The state will receive notice first, and how that is handled will determine how much local schools are impacted,” Baker said.
Soule added that community engagement will be vital to navigating the challenges posed to local schools by the national political environment.
“The district remains dedicated to providing a high-quality education to all students. While challenges may arise, ANWSD will work collaboratively with the community to navigate these changes and ensure that students' educational experiences remain robust and supportive,” she added.
