IN A P R I L , our union launched an initiative to fight back against federal funding cuts to public education. Delegations of members, local chapter leaders, and both CTA and NEA Board of Directors visited nine GOP Congressional member offices in California, when the elected officials were in their districts on recess.
These members of Congress represent districts at high risk with threatened federal cuts to school meals, Special Education support and more. Delegations met with some of these elected officials; others refused to meet during their recess — time provided to Congressional members to meet with constituents. If a delegation was unable to meet, CTA members and partners protested outside the office and vocalized our demand that the representatives stand with students and families in their districts by:
1. Voting no on any effort to slash funding for public education including special education programs that support students with ADHD, dyslexia and other disabilities; financial aid for college and Career Technical Education; protection of civil rights; funding for rural schools and communities; and school meals for hungry children.
2. Demanding the Trump Administration reinstate a vital rule that blocked ICE raids from sensitive areas, including school campuses.
3. Voting to protect the Department of Education. Local chapter leaders in each delegation also spoke about how much federal funding schools in their district stand to lose. (Check out costs by congressional district at bit.ly/44clC45.)
CTA Board Member and high school Special Education history teacher Greg Abt shared what transpired during a delegation visit to Rep. Jay Obernolte in Hesperia. “Congressman Obernolte made it clear that he is opposed to funding cuts for students in our district, but would not commit to protecting the Department of Education, an institution that ensures that our communities receive these funds and services.
“We have to keep up the momentum with these critical demands for students in our local schools.”
Main photo caption: Temecula Valley Educators Assn. members and leaders outside of Rep. Darrell Issa’s office; Issa refused to meet with the CTA delegation. TVEA President Edgar Diaz is second from right.
Chico Unified Teachers Assn. President Charlie Snyder stands outside of Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s office; LaMalfa refused to meet with Snyder and others in the CTA delegation.
CTA/NEA-Retired member Kelly Villalobos, CTA Board Member Eva Ruiz and Los Banos Teachers Assn. member Jennifer Wilkin tried to set up a meeting with Rep. Tom McClintock, who never responded. They went to his office during designated walk-in hours but found the door locked.
Left to right: CTA Pre-Retired member Dennis Kennedy, CTA Board Member Greg Abt, a legislative aide, Rep. Jay Obernolte, Hesperia Teachers Assn. President Jim Resvaloso and a legislative aide.
CTA Board Member Jesse Aguilar (at far end of table), Andrew Camacho, Lynn Childree, Steve Comstock, Ed De La Vega, Rafael Gonzales and Amy Kilburn met with Rep. Vince Fong’s staff.
The delegation that met with Rep. Ken Calvert’s staff are “optimistic” he will support public education. Left to right Lake Elsinore Teachers Assn. President Mario Montano,
Corona-Norco Teachers Assn (CNTA) Vice Pres. Ben Williams, CTA Board Member Joe Bartell, CNTA President Meg E’amato, CTA Board Member Grant Schuster, Menifee Teachers Assn. Vice Pres. Paola Lindquist and VP-Operations Bill Fishburn.
After meeting with Rep. Kevin Kiley’s staff, educators from all over Kiley’s congressional district gathered with parents and community members for an update.
Left to right: Alan Blanchard, Rafael Gonzalez, Wendy Colson, CTA Board Member Jesse Aguilar, Ed De La Vega and Liz Forsythe met with staff at Rep. David Valadao’s office.
Left to right: Fullerton Secondary Teachers Org. President Angie Cencak, CTA staff Cliff Schuster, Assn. of Placentia-Linda Educators
President Linda Manion, Capistrano Unified Education Assn. 2nd Vice Pres. Jenn Vega and CTA Board Member Grant Schuster met with Rep. Young Kim’s staff.
The Background
IN MARCH 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, putting billions of dollars in vital funding for public school students in jeopardy. Several thousand Department of Education staff have been laid off and school districts across the country have received conflicting and confusing directives, including threats from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to withhold funding for school meal programs for children living in poverty.
Currently, $2.7 billion in critical federal funds goes to schools statewide to provide meals for more than 3 million students — for many children the only nutritious meal they have available. And federal funding enables California schools to provide services to more than 800,000 students with disabilities, over 15% of all California students.
Roll Call
CTA delegations asked to meet with the following members of Congress, who represent districts at high risk with threatened federal cuts to school meals, Special Education support and more. Representatives who refused to meet are noted.
• Rep. Ken Calvert, Congressional District 41, Corona
• Rep. Vince Fong, CD 20, Bakersfield
• Rep. Darrell Issa, CD 48, Temecula— no meeting
• Rep. Kevin Kiley, CD 3, Rocklin
• Rep. Young Kim, CD 40, Anaheim
• Rep. Doug LaMalfa, CD 1, Chico —no meeting
• Rep. Tom McClintock, CD 5, Modesto — no meeting
• Rep. Jay Obernolte, CD 23, Hesperia
• Rep. David Valadao, CD 22, Hanford
Tell Congress to Save Public Education
Stop the destruction of the Department of Education. Gutting the department will destroy programs and protections that guarantee educational opportunities for all students — whether funding for schools or support for students with ADHD, autism and more.
Protect federal funding for public schools and colleges. A GOP-led proposal in the 2025 budget resolution would cut funding for public schools and colleges to pay for tax cuts that benefit billionaires. We can’t let this happen.
Take action on these issues now! Contact your congressional representative at nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center.
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