Michigan, California and More Sue Betsy DeVoss Over Virus Aid to Private Schools
Michigan, California and three other states are suing the U.S. Department of Education over pandemic relief funds.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, the states’ attorneys general say the department run by Secretary Betsy DeVos is attempting to take pandemic relief funds away from K-12 public schools and divert them to private schools.
Maine, New Mexico, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have joined the lawsuit. They say the department’s interim final rule would allow public schools that charge tuition similar to private colleges to get funds based on the total population they serve. The suit also names DeVos as a defendant.
“Betsy DeVos and her longtime M.O., which is to siphon away funds from public schools to private schools at the expense of public school districts. So, you know, really it boils down to that at its core,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said at a news conference in Lansing. “And quite honestly, at a time when we can least afford this and in the midst of a global pandemic. And, you know, we find that to be outrageous. And that’s why we filed this lawsuit.”
The Department of Education didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
In Michigan, officials said the rule could cost public schools at least $16 million, including $2.6 million each in Detroit, the state’s largest district, and Grand Rapids, where DeVos has roots.
“CARES Act dollars are designed to provide support to schools in low-income areas, but Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration have a different plan,” said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who like, Nessel, is a Democrat. “Under their new rule, private schools in affluent districts may receive services that Congress intended for disadvantaged students. This isn’t how it should work.”
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