LISBON — After President Trump signed an executive order last week that essentially eliminated the U.S Department of Education (DOE), those supporting Trump’s actions were quick to point out that federal funding makes up a relatively small portion of public school budgets at roughly 14%, with most money coming from the state and local property taxes also playing a significant role.

While that is true in the abstract, once the funding cuts are applied, the small 14% leads to big numbers — millions of dollars — local districts can no longer count on.

In 2022, the federal government provided roughly $2,536 in funding per student for public school districts or about 13.7% of total public school funding. The actual number each district receives per student, according to USAfacts.org, depends on several factors such as poverty levels and other student demographics, availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural.

For example, East Liverpool City Schools received $4,773 per student in federal revenue — the county’s highest — and nearly $2,000 more than the $3,064 per student from local property taxes. Ohio Department of Education’s CUPP data shows Lisbon received $3,856 per student in federal funding followed by Leetonia ($3,597), Wellsville ($3,532), East Palestine ($3,124), Salem ($2,682), Beaver Local ($2,416), Southern Local ($2,143), West Branch ($1,898), Crestview ($1,659), Columbiana ($1,333) and United ($1,138).

The DOE also administered funding sources such as Title 1, which provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families with the amount each district receives being based on the number of qualifying students enrolled in the district and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding, which helps districts ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education In 2024, Ohio received $651.1 million in Title I Part A funding and $393.8 million in federal IDEA funding.

Through those programs, Salem City Schools, for example, received a cumulative $1,380,213 in federal funding.

The Trump Administration has said both IDEA and Title 1 funding would be “preserved in full and redistributed to other agencies,” but it is unclear the impact of restructuring and re-assigning former DOE responsibilities would have.

The Columbiana County Educational Services Center (ESC) is one of 51 ESCs in Ohio. ESCs too rely on federal dollars and receive federal funding through various sources, including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.

CCESC Superintendent Marie Williams said not enough information is available to foresee what Trump’s executive order means.

“We are closely monitoring the developments, as many questions remain unanswered. As an ESC, our mission is to provide essential services and support to all students by working collaboratively with school districts, families, and community partners,” Williams said. “The Columbiana County ESC’s priority remains the same — to meet the needs of our schools and students, seek alternative funding where necessary, and ensure the continuation of critical services. Regardless of any changes ahead, we remain committed to supporting our school districts and students in Columbiana County, ensuring that all students have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.”

The executive order alone cannot close the DOE, which also oversees federal student loans, as Congressional action would be required to fully eliminate it. Congress established the agency in 1979 during the Carter administration. The president does not have the unilateral authority to eliminate the agency. Only Congress has the power to abolish it.

On Monday, organizations representing millions of educators, civil rights advocates, school employees, students and families filed a lawsuit to stop Trump from dismantling the BOE. The plaintiffs include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), public school parents, the National Education Association (NEA), and AFSCME Maryland Council 3, and they are supported by Student Defense and Education Law Center (ELC).

“While state and local governments are responsible for the vast majority of America’s public education system, Congress created the Department to help bridge longstanding gaps in educational opportunity and provide critical funding and supports to students,” said the NEA, the nation’s largest labor union, representing more than 3 million educators. “The Department fulfills that role by enforcing civil rights laws, supporting students with disabilities, promoting equal educational opportunities, bolstering the educator workforce, and administering the Federal Student Aid programs that place college within reach of working Americans.”