As a retired school physical therapist who worked in school special educations departments throughout the central Upper Peninsula, I am deeply concerned about efforts to dismantle public education.

There is a proposal in Congress to slash $12 billion from education in the budget bill. According to the non-partisan Education Law Center, Marquette Alger Regional Educational Service Agency is expected to lose over $5.6 million. Our rural schools are already struggling. How would we make up for this catastrophic loss of funds?

What staff and teachers might be laid off? What schools might close or reduce hours? What services might be cut, emergency preparedness, before and after school programs, special educations, bussing?

If we, as a community, believe in quality education for all students — not just the wealthiest — we must protect funding for our schools. I urge everyone to contact Rep. Jack Bergman and Sens. Slotkin and Peters demanding they oppose these cuts and instead invest in strengthening our public schools.

Nancy Uschold

Marquette