The U.S. Secretary of Education’s visit to Arkansas comes at a pivotal moment. As educators and families across the state prepare students for a new school year, the focus should be on setting every child up for success—not on managing the uncertainty caused by potential funding cuts.
Yet, as schools prepare to open their doors, they face the threat of deep cuts to student meal programs, Medicaid-supported services, and core educational funding. These cuts jeopardize the essential supports that students rely on—before the first bell of the school year even rings.
Members of the Arkansas Education Association work every day to ensure our schools have the resources they need and that every student feels seen, supported, and valued. We know that when students feel like they belong, they thrive. When schools are equipped to nurture every child’s potential, dreams become attainable.
We hope the Secretary will witness firsthand the dedication of Arkansas educators and the critical role public schools play in every community. We urge her to carry that message back to Washington: our public schools are the cornerstone of our communities, and they deserve full funding—not further cuts.
Our students cannot wait. They deserve the investment, the support, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
