WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is reinstating numerous Education Department employees who were scheduled for layoffs due to the need for assistance in addressing a growing backlog of discrimination complaints filed by students and their families.
The affected staff members had been on administrative leave while facing litigation surrounding layoffs in the department’s Office for Civil Rights, responsible for investigating potential discrimination in educational institutions. In a letter released Friday, officials instructed staff to report back to work starting December 15, in a bid to expedite resolving civil rights cases.
While officials confirmed this reinstatement, they also noted the intention to proceed with the layoffs as part of efforts to reduce the department's size. Julie Hartman, a department spokesperson, commented, “The Department will continue to appeal the persistent and unending litigation regarding the Reductions in Force, but in the interim, we will utilize all employees currently compensated by American taxpayers.”
In the communication to employees, which was obtained by The Associated Press, it was emphasized that the department requires “all OCR staff to prioritize OCR’s existing complaint caseload.” This office addresses a wide range of issues, from disability rights violations to cases of racial discrimination.
Despite the reinstatement, the department did not specify how many employees would return. It is acknowledged that some staff who were on administrative leave have since departed.
Legal challenges have hindered planned reductions in staff, which began after Donald Trump took office. The Education Department's workforce has dwindled from about 4,100 to roughly 2,000 employees, with a significant portion of this reduction affecting civil rights enforcement.
The department struggled with a backlog of 20,000 discrimination cases when the Trump administration began but has seen that number swell to over 25,000 due to a reduced workforce and increasing complaints. Critics argue that the office is ill-equipped to handle such an extensive caseload, remarking that numerous families have experienced significant delays in hearing back regarding their complaints.
The Office for Civil Rights plays a vital role in enforcing federal civil rights laws regarding education and has the authority to withdraw funding from schools found in violation, although many cases are typically resolved through voluntary agreements. As the crisis persists, those involved with civil rights cases express concern over the office's ability to function under current staffing levels.
The affected staff members had been on administrative leave while facing litigation surrounding layoffs in the department’s Office for Civil Rights, responsible for investigating potential discrimination in educational institutions. In a letter released Friday, officials instructed staff to report back to work starting December 15, in a bid to expedite resolving civil rights cases.
While officials confirmed this reinstatement, they also noted the intention to proceed with the layoffs as part of efforts to reduce the department's size. Julie Hartman, a department spokesperson, commented, “The Department will continue to appeal the persistent and unending litigation regarding the Reductions in Force, but in the interim, we will utilize all employees currently compensated by American taxpayers.”
In the communication to employees, which was obtained by The Associated Press, it was emphasized that the department requires “all OCR staff to prioritize OCR’s existing complaint caseload.” This office addresses a wide range of issues, from disability rights violations to cases of racial discrimination.
Despite the reinstatement, the department did not specify how many employees would return. It is acknowledged that some staff who were on administrative leave have since departed.
Legal challenges have hindered planned reductions in staff, which began after Donald Trump took office. The Education Department's workforce has dwindled from about 4,100 to roughly 2,000 employees, with a significant portion of this reduction affecting civil rights enforcement.
The department struggled with a backlog of 20,000 discrimination cases when the Trump administration began but has seen that number swell to over 25,000 due to a reduced workforce and increasing complaints. Critics argue that the office is ill-equipped to handle such an extensive caseload, remarking that numerous families have experienced significant delays in hearing back regarding their complaints.
The Office for Civil Rights plays a vital role in enforcing federal civil rights laws regarding education and has the authority to withdraw funding from schools found in violation, although many cases are typically resolved through voluntary agreements. As the crisis persists, those involved with civil rights cases express concern over the office's ability to function under current staffing levels.
