TRENTON, NJ — Phil Murphy is cutting aid to schools in New Jersey, forcing them to fire teachers, cut programs, and in some cases, putting them into a position where they are being forced to close and sell schools.
Now, Murphy is upset after the Department of Education is cutting back on school funding.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with 18 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit Friday against the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Education, challenging new conditions placed on federal funding for K-12 schools.
Platkin said the lawsuit aims to block the Department from withholding over $1 billion in critical educational funds unless states comply with the Trump administration’s interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which he called “vague, contradictory, and unsupported.” “Shame on President Trump for cruelly threatening to pull funding from our schools,” Platkin said in a statement.
Key Points
- NJ and 18 states sue to block new federal conditions on K-12 education funding.
- Over $1 billion in federal aid to New Jersey schools could be at risk.
- Lawsuit claims violations of Spending Clause, Appropriations Clause, and Administrative Procedure Act.
The dispute stems from an April 3 letter from the U.S. Department of Education, demanding that state and local education agencies certify compliance with the Department’s revised interpretation of Title VI, which targets diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. New Jersey refused, stating it already meets Title VI requirements and criticizing the new conditions as unlawful.
Kevin Dehmer, New Jersey’s Commissioner of Education, emphasized the importance of maintaining equitable access, saying, “The lack of clarity of the U.S. Department of Education’s most recent request for certification combined with the threat to federal funding…disregard the most foundational principles of New Jersey and federal education law.”
Coalition argues new conditions are unconstitutional
The multistate lawsuit argues the Department’s actions violate the Spending Clause, the Appropriations Clause, the separation of powers, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Platkin and other state attorneys general insist that education funds critical to supporting low-income students, special education programs, and other vulnerable groups must not be jeopardized by sudden and politically charged policy shifts.
The lawsuit stresses that New Jersey has a longstanding record of compliance with Title VI and its regulations and maintains that no additional or altered certification is legally required.
Funding supports programs for low-income and vulnerable students
Federal education funding in New Jersey helps schools provide essential services, including special education, English language learning programs, teacher training, and support for foster and homeless youth. State officials warn that losing this funding would have a devastating impact on the most vulnerable student populations.
Attorney General Platkin joins counterparts from California, New York, and other states in the coordinated legal effort.