Medical group cited by Trump denounces school funding threat
Source: Associated Press
A medical association that the White House has cited in its press to reopen schools is pushing back against President Donald Trumps repeated threats to cut federal funding if schools dont open this fall.
In a joint statement with national education unions and a superintendents group, the American Academy of Pediatrics on Friday said decisions should be made by health experts and local leaders. The groups argued that schools will need more money to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic and that cuts could ultimately harm students.
The statement comes at a time when schools across the nation are weighing decisions for the fall as Trump pushes them to reopen. Millions of parents are still waiting to hear if their children will be returning to school, but some of the nations largest districts have said students will be in the classroom only a few days a week.
Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics, the groups wrote in the statement. Withholding funding from schools that do not open in person full-time would be a misguided approach, putting already financially strapped schools in an impossible position that would threaten the health of students and teachers.
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By COLLIN BINKLEY
2 hours ago
Read more: https://apnews.com/6a7b65d54402e1ddf36425bd7914ff93