Educators Fight for Rights as Trump Threats Pursue Students, Workers, Immigrants
And other legislative updates in this month’s Up the Street
THIS MONTH IN ANNAPOLIS
Maryland Schools Commit to Support Civil Rights; Federal Judge Thwarts Trump’s Anti-DEI Efforts
Maryland Schools Superintendent Carey Wright and State School Board President Josh Michael pledged that Maryland public schools will continue to uphold civil rights as court cases proceed against the Trump Administration’s assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. “We are unwavering in our commitment to providing every child, of every background, the education they deserve to succeed and reach their full potential,” Wright and Michael said in a joint statement. Lawsuits against Trump’s order have been filed by a wide range of groups, including the National Education Association (NEA) and other national, state, and local labor unions, and by the attorneys general of 19 states, including Maryland.
A federal judge’s April 24 order in response to an NEA lawsuit prohibits President Trump from withholding funding from public schools that have DEI programs. Trump’s plan to punish school systems was based on what the judge described as “impermissibly vague” definitions of DEI and that they “raise the specter of a public ‘witch hunt’ that will sow fear and doubt among teachers.” Additional information and analysis on the ruling can be found on the Federal Resources page on MSEA’s website.
The judge’s injunction affirmed the work educators do every day. “[The] ruling allows educators and schools to continue to be guided by what’s best for students, not by the threat of illegal restrictions and punishment,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Across the country educators do everything in their power to support every student, ensuring each feels safe, seen, and is prepared for the future.”
NEWS AND NOTES
Trump Administration Attempts to Claw Back Pandemic Relief Funds
Local school districts may feel further financial strain now that the Trump Administration has rescinded the extension that was given to school systems that had pandemic relief funds left to spend. Although Maryland last fall was granted an extension until next year to spend approximately $232 million, the extension was abruptly rescinded last month. Millions of the money has been spent at the local level. State School Board President Josh Michael described the fiscal crisis: “That could mean salaries for 2,000 teachers next year. It could mean 12,000 students in our pre-K program. We will have to come up with this money,” he said. “These are real dollars.” The state has asked USDE to reconsider, but has yet to hear back definitively on the fate of the funds. Attorney General Anthony Brown joined 15 other state attorneys general and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in suing the Trump Administration over the sudden recission of these funds.
AIB Grants Temporary Waiver in Carroll
Citing a unique set of circumstances in Carroll County, for the first time the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) has granted a school system’s minimum school funding temporary waiver request . The waiver gives Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) until fiscal year 2028 to meet the Blueprint’s funding levels for concentration of poverty and multilingual learning programs. The AIB agreed that CCPS is in a unique position because of an unanticipated and significant increase in the percentage of students coming from backgrounds of poverty. In a news release the AIB stated, “The AIB found the increase in compensatory education students is significant and that changing the status of approximately 200 full-time equivalent positions in a single school year will likely create an environment that interferes with effective teaching and learning. The AIB also found that Carroll County has a thoughtful plan to fully comply with the MSF requirements in FY28.”
The Blueprint’s Pillar 5, Accountability, empowers the AIB to make responsible adjustments to the Blueprint implementation that include short-term accommodations such as this waiver.
Cellphone Policy Requirement in Development to Reduce Distractions, Create Consistency
To address the proliferation of technology distractions in schools, MSEA supported bills this past legislative session that would require districts to set policies about cellphone and technology use during the school day. Although the legislature did not pass any of the measures, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) received recommendations on April 29 from a task force that has been studying the issue. The recommendations, which have not been adopted, would require policies to be in place, but give local school boards flexibility to establish their own policies. The board is considering whether to take a formal action on any of the recommendations before school starts.
Union Power Expands in Two New MSEA Affiliates
In the past month, MSEA has added the strength of two more union affiliates, the Washington County Association of Supervisors and Administrators (WCASA), and the Riverhawk Educators Union (REU), representing faculty at Anne Arundel Community College.
WCASA won immediate recognition by filing a petition supported by more than 50% of the unit (156 cards). WCASA includes both certificated and non-certificated administrators and supervisors with a total unit size of 284 and joins 10 other administrator and supervisor groups represented by MSEA.
REU received official notification of certification last month after faculty at Anne Arundel Community College (unit size of 256) filed for recognition with the Maryland Public Employee Relations Board.
Broadening the power of union voices strengthens MSEA’s work to assure that students and educators have the support and respect they deserve.
Trump Discipline Order Undercuts Work to Stop School-to-Prison Pipeline
Among executive orders signed recently by President Trump is one about discipline disingenuously described as “non-discriminatory.” It threatens practices like restorative justice that are implemented to bring real equity to disciplinary proceedings and dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline that has disproportionately affected Black and Brown students.
Some of the cuts made to the Department of Education will impair the collection of valuable school climate data that could help create more supportive learning environments for all students, according to the nonprofit equity advocate EdTrust. “When the dust settles from the education chaos being created by [the] Trump Administration, students—especially students from low-income backgrounds, students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, and students in rural areas—will be worse off, and the Trump Administration wants to make sure we don’t have the data and research to prove it,” EdTrust stated.
Trump Budget Kills Head Start; Toddlers to Lose Learning Opportunities, Health Supports
The Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget wipes out the 60-year-old Head Start program that supports nearly 800,000 infants, toddlers, and preschool children from families with low incomes at more than 17,000 centers nationwide, including 24 Maryland programs. A companion Early Head Start program provides prenatal services. For comparison, the 2024 budget included $12.2 billion for the Head Start programs that research shows have helped academic, social, and economic outcomes.
“So far this year, Trump has slow-walked $1 billion in funding from going out the door to Head Start programs, and we are beginning to see the devastating consequences: centers closing, kids kicked out of the classroom, teachers losing their jobs, and entire communities losing out,” Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) said.
Trump Goes after Student Loan Borrowers; Reverses Biden Administration Forgiveness
The Trump Administration is adding to the financial burden of millions of student loan borrowers, reversing Biden Administration policy and restarting collection of federal student loans. Collections were delayed or suspended while Biden enacted debt forgiveness plans and attempted unsuccessfully to wipe out most borrowers’ debt. By the time Biden left office, 33 executive actions by his administration had approved a cumulative $188.8 billion in forgiveness for 5.3 million borrowers. Starting May 5, payments will be expected, and borrowers’ wages may be garnished for accounts that go unpaid.
Curriculum, Book Censorship in Supreme Court Case from Montgomery County
The National Education Association (NEA) filed an amicus brief, supported by MSEA, to ensure students have access to an inclusive education as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering Mahmoud v. Taylor. The court will rule on parents’ religious objections to inclusive education that reflects the diversity of identities in our public schools and communities. At issue in the case brought by a group of Montgomery County, Maryland parents is whether parents have a constitutional right to force public schools to provide advance notice, opt-out procedures, and alternative learning arrangements to deny their children access to books with LGBTQ+ characters or any other content that may offend their religious beliefs. The NEA argues that allowing for those would impair the delivery of a “full, engaging and inclusive education.” “Inclusive education is fundamental to public education,” NEA President Becky Pringle said.
The court is expected to decide by the end of June. The NEA’s website and Education Justice pages contain the latest information.
CAMPAIGN 2026
Governor’s Race Has First GOP Contender
John Myrick, a Republican, is the first candidate to file for the 2026 governor’s race. He made disparaging, sexist remarks about Lieutenant Gov. Aruna Miller when he announced that his running mate is former State Delegate Brenda Thiam (R-Washington).
“Unlike the current governor, I knew we needed a lieutenant governor who was the most qualified, best person for the job—not just somebody who can stand there and look cute,” Myrick said.
Miller, who served two terms in the House of Delegates, also worked as an engineer, transportation official, and planner in Montgomery County and in California. Thiam joined her running mate in the kick-off gaffes, stating that the “lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate,” which she later admitted was incorrect.
Myrick ran unsuccessfully in the Republican Senate primary last year and is campaigning now promising to cooperate more with President Trump than Larry Hogan and Gov. Moore. He is a federal consultant who previously served as a Harford County deputy sheriff.