WORCESTER—Worcester Public Schools (WPS) has joined a growing legal effort to prevent the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, becoming a declarant in a federal lawsuit against the government.
The Worcester School Committee voted 6-2 in an executive session Friday to support the lawsuit, which was filed March 24 in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts by Democracy Forward on behalf of the Somerville and Easthampton public school districts. As a declarant, Worcester serves as a witness to support the case for preserving the DOE.
“Worcester is taking a stand. Dismantling the Department of Education is not only unjust but illegal,” said Mayor Joseph Petty. “In the City of Worcester, we will always support our scholars, staff, families, and residents of all backgrounds.”
Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez argues that the DOE plays a critical role in supporting public education. “From instructional assistance to wraparound supports and working with students with special needs — these are not luxuries, they are necessities,” she said.
WPS relies on approximately $53 million in federal funding—9% of its annual budget—for early childhood education, school meals, academic support, technical education, disability services, and family assistance programs. The district recently experienced a $180,000 cut in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for locally sourced school meals and is monitoring potential reductions to supplemental ESSER funds.
The lawsuit argues that dismantling the DOE would disrupt essential services and oversight, including the Office for Civil Rights, which investigates discrimination claims and ensures compliance with federal accessibility laws.
Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit, “This country needs to be focused on how to improve education and opportunities for all … instead, Donald Trump is taking a wrecking ball to our nation’s best values and our chance at a better future.”
The case continues to gain support from school districts and advocacy organizations nationwide.
Editor Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
