Concerns persist among educators, parents, and stakeholders about the future of the U.S. Department of Education, especially after recent budget cuts totaling over $900 million. This has left many wondering what lies ahead.

However, Berrien RESA Superintendent Eric Hoppstock has assured that, despite the ongoing discussions, schools should not face any immediate issues for the rest of this academic year.

“The first thing about the last couple weeks was to really work with, even our staff, to say the funds for this year have already been allocated, they’ve already been sent, they’re already in our hands, so relax,” Hoppstock says. “Those things are really issues that will come into play as we move into next school year.”

Many parents have expressed concerns regarding the future of the free and reduced lunch programs when discussing the Department of Education (DOE).

Hoppstock noted that 72% of students in Berrien County qualify for these programs, and emphasized that if the federal government chooses to reduce funding, it will fall to the state to cover the shortfall.

“There’s a lot of questions we just don’t know,”Hoppstock says. “For example, if it [Federal Government] says  we’re not going to manage it anymore, we’re just going to send it to the states, well, who in our state’s going to then do that? They’re busy people, they’re short-staffed. So it could slow money down. We’re going to figure this out, but it’s not something that we’re panicking about today.”

Hoppstock says that regardless of what happens with the department, districts will continue to educate students here in Berrien County, even if it means to adjusting and adapting to make things work.