U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill says federal resources for rural schools are on the budget chopping block, which she says will be devastating for schools in our area. The Missouri Democrat wrote to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, requesting answers on how the government will support rural schools in the face of the proposed budget cuts.

McCaskill says the budget cuts under consideration would end funding for programs that support students in rural areas. Seventy percent of Missouri’s school districts are in rural areas.

“Quality public schools are the best and only viable choice for a lot of Missourians, and resources for rural schools shouldn’t go on the chopping block,” McCaskill said. “Ensuring our kids and grandkids have the best ducation possible is absolutely essential, and I’m very concerned that the proposed cuts to rural education could devastate teachers and students in our state.”

In her letter to DeVos, McCaskill requested details on how the proposed cuts to the Department of Education would affect rural public education and what the agency will do to address the needs of rural schools.

“It remains unclear how the Department plans to address or mitigate the devastating impact these [budget] cuts can have on schools across the country, particularly in rural areas,” McCaskill wrote.

McCaskill’s letter also asked for an update on how the Department of Education is implementing recommendations from their Inspector General to conduct better oversight over programs that support rural school districts.