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School Board Member Tyron Riddick requested the Board send a letter in support of the U.S. Department of Education during their March 13 meeting. The letter outlined the history and purpose of the DOE, and mentioned that Suffolk Public Schools received $1,092,000 from the Department during the 2024-2025 school year. 

After a lengthy discussion, the resolution passed 4-3, with Brittingham, Slingluff, and McGee dissenting.  

Board Member Valerie Fields expressed dire support of the resolution, emphasizing protection for students with disabilities and the importance of Title One funding.

She stated roughly 15% of public school students across the country have received individualized educational services and special education services. She added that nearly two-thirds of all public schools receive Title One funding, and nine schools in Suffolk are Title One schools.

“Each of the Board Members represents a burrow that would be adversely affected by the dismantling of the Department of Education,” Fields said. “… A ‘no’ vote, in my opinion, would be in direct opposition of our support of struggling schools in our communities and it would be in opposition to those who elected us to represent them in our communities.”

Board Member Kimberly Slingluff pointed out that federal funding for K12 programs that serve disadvantaged students is established through law, so if the DOE is dismantled, those funds should still be received, unless the law is changed.

She added that the Board is “hypothesizing quite a bit” about the possible repercussions if the DOE is dismantled. She said she’s seen many arguments from both sides, saying it could be detrimental to school divisions, or they could see minimal impacts. 

“The reality, for me, is at this point, we don’t know what would happen either way,” Slingluff said. “We don’t know what the plan would be, so I find it difficult … myself to take a stance when I don’t know factual evidence as to what is going to take place and how it would take place.”

Board Member Dawn Marie Brittingham, Ed.D. concurred with Slingluff, stating the resolution is highlighting funds that are “tied to law.” 

“I’m looking at this resolution and I think that this resolution is jumping the gun at this point,” she said. “I think we don’t need to worry about the funds that are attached to these items because those funds are attached to the law.”

School Board Attorney Wendell Waller said it’s “unknown” whether things like Title One funds will remain unchanged in the future. 

Riddick emphasized the resolution is to show support for the DOE. He said not making a decision is “neglecting” a civic duty as a board member.

Vice Chair Sean McGee said he’s heard from his constituents, and they either favor the DOE as it stands or think it could be restructured. He has not heard anyone say it should be abolished.

“Through my own research, the DOE does offer a lot of great benefits for our children,” he said. “But, are there issues with it? Are there things broken with it? Absolutely.”

McGee added he wants to amend the resolution to include elements they support along with some they might want to change.

“There is nothing in this resolution really speaking to the pros and cons of the DOE,” he said.

Chair Heather Howell said she doesn’t see this as a black and white issue because they are treading the line of “Board business and political posturing.”

“I have a clear and direct role here to be a Board Member,” she continued. “With that said, I am and have been, and will always be, in my soul, a public educator, and now I’m public School Board Chair, and what I don’t want to see is anything that further divides us.”

She asked the Board Members to vote and move on, showing the Suffolk community how to disagree without “disregarding and dismantling each other’s character.”