• No immediate impact on classroom learning

On March 25, 2025, Matt Erickson, Superintendent of Lincoln County School District No. 2, visited the SVI Radio studio to address the implications of President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive order aimed at dissolving the Department of Education. During the discussion, Erickson expressed uncertainty about the future, stating, “We don’t really know the answer yet. There have been a lot of conversations taking place. We simply have more questions than we do answers at this point.”

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He highlighted that federal funding constitutes approximately seven to eight percent of local school district budgets in Wyoming, mainly through Title I programs designed to support low-income families. “We don’t think it is going to be a big hit,” he remarked, noting that the Department of Education primarily focuses on student aid for universities and colleges. However, Erickson raised concerns about delays in receiving Title I and Title II funding figures from state officials, complicating budget preparations. “They are a little tardy, so it’s hard to budget,” he added.

Despite these uncertainties, Erickson reassured the community that there would not be a negative impact on classroom experiences. “We are going to stay calm and not panic,” he emphasized. The executive order, signed on March 20, aims to empower parents and communities by transferring educational authority from federal bureaucracies back to the states. It specifies that it will ensure the effective delivery of services while prohibiting the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology in any remaining federally funded programs. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, local districts like LCSD2 are preparing to navigate these changes with a focus on maintaining stability and quality in education.