Rep. John Mannion Says CNY Students Will Feel Impact of Gutted Dept. of Education

President Trump’s new executive order following through on his promise to gut the Department of Education is not sitting well with Syracuse-area Democratic Congressmember John Mannion. The former long-time educator said funding and program cuts threaten programs support all students’ success while helping the most vulnerable.

“We're talking about larger class sizes," Mannion said. "We’re talking about students with disabilities not getting individualized services, and we're talking about programs that will no longer exist that currently exist that are part of us meeting the moment for the next century's economy and workforce. We cannot go back.”

Mannion said funding cuts could also threaten the future of the new regional STEAM high school opening this fall on the edge of downtown Syracuse. The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math school is expected to create a pipeline of future workers for the planned Micron semiconductor chip fabs in Clay and other related industries.

But remarks from President Trump questioning the federal incentives promised to Micron and others has shed some doubt on the future of the project. Mannion said the national security component and years of commitment serve as a shield.

 “Major investments from Micron, major investments from the federal government, major investments from the county. We're too far in," Mannion said. "Micron's not going to turn their back on us. The county is not turning their back.”

Mannion played a key role in Mannion spoke Thursday along with Albany-area representative and Paul Tonko. They called on their fellow Democrats, as well as Republicans to denounce Trump’s violation of a court order regarding deportations.

THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY WAER.