The money from this Act was intended by Congress to help low-income children by narrowing the existing resource and achievement gap. Instead, Secretary Betsy DeVos (no friend of public schools) has interpreted it to mean that the billions of dollars would be shared equally with public and private schools, based on the idea that all children be served equitably no matter where they attend school. The estimated amount to be taken from public schools and given to private schools is $1.5 billion, with a proportionate transfer to occur locally.

The secretary’s effort to eliminate discrimination against private school students will instead have the effect of discrimination against students in districts like Haywood County’s that serve low-income constituents. Since private schools have sources of revenue not available to public schools, the net effect will be that the richer schools get richer while students in poverty and minority areas are further deprived. 

Public education is a fundamental right for all children. The aim of the CARES Act was to facilitate that. Its application by the current Department of Education will only further undermine it. Our children deserve better than this.

Doug Wingeier

Asheville