While Trump appointees are doing their best to impose their policies before January 20, a federal judge in California told Betsy DeVos in no equivocal terms by a federal judge that she cannot divert CARES money to private schools. The nation’s nearly 100,000 public schools received $13.2 billion in CARES funding, which they were required to share with charter schools and to private schools with low-income students. However, charter schools, religious schools, and private schools also qualified for billions more from the CARES Payroll Protection Program, which excluded public schools. DeVos initially tried to wedge private schools into the public schools’ $13.2 billion fund, even if the private schools had no low-income students. But three federal judges rejected her efforts. Now she is permanently enjoined.
LANSING, Mich — A judge has formally closed the case on U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ efforts to rewrite a section of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that would have diverted $16 million in funding away from public schools in Michigan.
The lawsuit against DeVos was co-led by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. On Nov. 9, U.S. District Court Northern District of California Judge James Donato approved a permanent injunction, thus formally closing the case. He then entered a judgement in favor of all plaintiffs.
“This pandemic has greatly impacted students across the country. The CARES Act is imperative as it provides critical funding for our public schools and the resources teachers need to continue safely teaching our youth,” Nessel said. “This permanent injunction sends a clear message that the publicly funded CARES Act dollars should be used as Congress intended – to educate our public students, and not to serve the political agendas of a select few.”
Reblogged this on David R. Taylor-Thoughts on Education.
Is there any way we can just have her “do nothing” for the next 60 days. Doing nothing is better than being allowed to do harm.
I’d like to see her do something–Go to one of her yachts and hang out doing nothing with education for the next two months!
That is the kind of “do nothing” I’m talking about.
I spoke to a friend in Michigan who said that she and her friends are filled with trepidation about DeVos returning to Michigan. Maybe a long long cruise would keep Betsy out of trouble.
Many thanks to NPE for its diligence in “following the money.” NPE was on the trail of all the PPP funds that went to charter schools long before the media broke the story. In fact, in NPE had not pursued with dogged diligence, I don’t know if this money heist would have been uncovered.
yes, much appreciation for NPE efforts
It is refreshing to know that there still are some decent judges in this country.
Not every Republican is a trump parrot. Most want to do the job correctly.
. . . glad to hear it. Devos needs to retire to one of her many yachts. CBK
Wow, about time, a home-run for the good guys.
And just what is it that can be done to her if she continues to try to divert funds? She may not be able to get school districts to divert funds, but is there something she can do with funds that have not yet been dispersed? Like every other dishonest official in Trump’s circle, she will continue to foul up the works as much as she can before Jan. 20. How do these people live with themselves? As far as I can see, there have been no consequences for any loyal puppet although I suspect she is less a puppet than some. She doesn’t want or need anything from Trump. He just provided an avenue for her to realize her own agenda.
An added benefit is that, in this case, “permanently” is only a few more weeks.
Today, NBC news reported that the archdiocese of New York sued the NYC Dept. of Ed.
one more taxpayer cost for private school encroachment
They wants them some of that money. Money trumps (pun intended) moral and ethical consistency, especially when “theology” can be cited as infallible justification.
socialism for white rich people… advancing the Paul Weyrich (Koch) libertarian agenda