IEA president condemns the immediate cuts to federal community schools grants

Please attribute the following statement to IEA President Karl Goeke:

"The Trump administration's announcement just before the holidays that it will cut Full Service Community Schools funding on Dec. 31 puts 19,000 students across the state at risk. The grant money funds mental health, tutoring, food assistance, extracurricular and after-school programs that help our most vulnerable students stay safe and healthy.

"At least 32 schools across the state - in both urban and rural areas from Chicago to Vienna - will lose funding for these programs. Along with cutting vital services to students, the loss of the grant will force the elimination of positions in a public education system that is already short-handed.

"This constant roller coaster of funding threats is dizzying in a state where 80 percent of public schools are already underfunded. But, we know that no matter what is thrown at us as educators, we will stand in the gap and do everything we can to protect our students and fulfill their needs.

"Please take a moment and support reinstating the grants by joining ACT Now's petition."

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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state's largest union. IEA represents Pre K-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.