Post Reports Trump promised to end DEI. Then, rural teachers lost money.
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Sep 8, 2025 National reporter Ben Brasch from The Washington Post dives into the pressing issues faced by Montgomery County, North Carolina, after the Trump administration's drastic cuts to education funding. He reveals how a $21 million loss in grants affects teacher training and retention in this struggling rural district. Parents and educators express their frustration over these indiscriminate cuts, which exacerbate the ongoing teacher shortages. The conversation highlights the broader implications of political decisions on education and community wellbeing.
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Rural Economy Limits School Funding
- Montgomery County is a small, rural community with long-term economic decline and limited tax base.
- Those structural limits make it hard to pay teachers competitively and sustain school funding.
Pay Gap Drives Teacher Shortage
- Montgomery County pays teachers significantly less than neighboring counties, worsening recruitment and retention.
- Lower base pay and fewer local amenities drive persistent teacher shortages in the district.
Grant Funded Merit Bonuses
- The district relied on a $21 million Teacher and School Leader Incentive grant spread over three years.
- That money funded merit bonuses tied to student and school performance to keep teachers from leaving.