Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski and former candidate for New York State Assembly Kimberly DeRosa share differing views on President-elect Donald Trump's plan to close the Department of Education.

BACKGROUND:

It's an idea that brings concern for Urbanski. The union leader strongly opposes a campaign pledge by Trump to eliminate the federal agency.

"The most vulnerable children in rural districts and in urban districts would pay the price and they are the ones that will be hurt," said Urbanski.

The Rochester City School District receives millions from the federal government in the 2024-25 academic year budget. Exactly how much comes from the Department of Education remains unclear, but Urbanski said eliminating the department would not have an insignificant effect.

"The funding for education in most school districts including ours is between 8 and 12 percent of the money we get," Urbanski said.

DeRosa said she is in favor of closing the department.

"I don't really see much changing as a state," DeRosa said. "We fund out schools, we pay the most per student and per teacher in the country, and so I don't think that funding is going to go anywhere."

For DeRosa, a homeschooling parent, it's also a matter of wanting more autonomy over education as a parent.

"Getting rid of that (the Department of Education) and giving the power back to the states will enable the parents to have more power and more authority over their children's education," said DeRosa.

Closing the Department of Education would require congressional approval.

outlines the campaign pledge, advocating for abolishing teacher tenure in the K-12 grades among other changes to education.