Etcheverry will join hundreds of educators, parents, students, and members of Congress at a rally on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 4:15 p.m. EST to lobby members of Congress and stand up for students by fighting against the effort to dismantle the Department of Education, pass universal vouchers and cut vital services Nevada students depend on in their public schools.
The rally comes at a pivotal moment, as the Trump administration attempts to advance policies that would eliminate essential support and protections for students, increase class sizes, and divert funds away from our school districts. Etcheverry joins other local advocates and others across the country in speaking out against Executive Orders that will strip resources from vulnerable students, including those with disabilities, and make higher education more expensive for future generations.
The following day, McMahon is scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. EST, the first hurdle in the cabinet nomination process.
WHY IT MATTERS LOCALLY:
Students across Nevada benefit from programs run by the Department of Education, especially lower-income students in rural, suburban, and urban communities, students who qualify for federal grants or loans to receive career training or attend 2- and 4-year colleges, and students with disabilities. In our community, these proposed cuts would directly affect local schools, impacting funding, educational opportunities, and support systems for students who rely on vital services.
- More than 250,707 students in Nevada receive Title I funds from the Department of Education. Nevada’s public schools would lose over $160 million in vital funding to hire teachers and other school support staff.
- Losing federal dollars would further exacerbate the educator shortages plaguing Nevada public schools, causing students’ class sizes to balloon.
- Special education programs will suffer with the loss of approximately 104 million that go to Nevada students. Nevada educators and parents expect elected officials to prioritize our students’ futures and strengthen our public schools, so they remain a cornerstone of opportunity and equality.
- Nevada students stand to lose over $173 million in Pell Grants—critical funding that low-income students rely on to afford higher education. Without this support, countless students could see their college dreams slip out of reach.
BACKGROUND:
The Trump administration’s early Executive Orders have already undermined civil rights protections for students, eroded access to essential educational resources, and escalated threats to the foundation of public education. The rally comes ahead of the confirmation hearing for Linda McMahon, a nominee whose policies are seen by many as part of an extreme agenda to dismantle public education and attack students’ rights.
Only Congress has the power to abolish the Education Department, and the vast majority of Congress—including 60 House Republicans (not including Rep. Mark Amodei)—rejected gutting public education last session, knowing it would only hurt students and is deeply unpopular with parents and educators.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
To schedule an interview with educators from Nevada, contact Alexander Marks at 702-501-1486 or [email protected]
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The Nevada State Education Association has been the voice of Nevada Educators for over 120 years and represents teachers, education support professionals, and other licensed professionals throughout Nevada.
