PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — 10 On Your Side personalities Katie Collett, Aesia Toliver, Tom Schaad and Regina Mobley were given the stage at Brighton Elementary School, where select stories were read to eager audiences.
Across Portsmouth, with one exception, elementary school children learn in Title I schools, which means extra federal funding is provided to help the children make the grade. Those funds could now be in jeopardy, as President Trump has called for abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.
Portsmouth School Board Chairman Dr. Cardell Patillo sounded the alarm last month in an interview with 10 On Your Side.
“Title I is responsible for much of our professional development for our teachers who are in those schools,” Patillo said.
President Trump calls the current public education system a failure, with 70% of 8th graders below proficient in reading, and 72% below proficient in math.
The House bill to eliminate the Education Department is now in the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
In Portsmouth, there is concern budget cuts could trim performance in a system where 13 of 14 elementary schools are Title I schools.
“We receive over $700,000 from the federal government every year through our budgeting process,” Patillo said. “If we were to lose $700,000 in federal funding, I’m not sure how that would be made up and where it would come from, so that could severely damage our school division and the needs of our students.”