DCPS Facing Issues with Federal Funding

(CAMBRIDGE, Md) – Dorchester County Public Schools are trying to increase their state ranking from 23rd in the state. Due to budget cuts from the Trump administration of more than $600,000, it’s an even steeper uphill battle.

“For Dorchester, this is a significant impact on our new Teacher Induction program because we use our Title Two funds for for professional development for our new teachers. So we’re currently trying to figure out how we’re going to be supporting new staff as they come in…” says DCPS Director of Curriculum, Dr. Jodi Colman.

Dr. Colman said a lot of programs will be impacted: From teacher induction, to multilingual student help, to school safety.

One retired teacher told us she’s concerned about student safety being an afterthought.

“You have kids out here that need education, guidance. I mean, majority of them is turning to the streets, crime. I mean, just look at the last shooting that we had here where one of the people was a 15 or 16 year old child,” says Sharita Wangus.

While the school system continues to fight that uphill battle, one area they’re trying to maintain for the sake of helping students is who is leading the class.

Dr. Colman tells us, “We need to invest in our people and building capacity. And by losing some of this funding, we’re going to have to figure out how to continue to invest in our people. It is our teachers that are going to make the difference. So I’m really concerned about our new teacher program because I want to make sure that they are supported.”

While Dorchester County Public Schools works to try and work around that withheld federal funding, they want to assure the families of the county that they do not want to jeopardize the student’s education