The Trump administration is bringing back dozens of Education Department staffers who were slated to be laid off.
Father says ex-wife didn’t supervise son who’s focus of probe into stepsister’s Carnival cruise ship death ‘Unprovoked’: Deputies say man shot his girlfriend, her roommate while the 3 watched a movie at St.
Augustine home Board chair ousted from leadership position as St. Johns County commissioners clash during tense meetingA local couple lost $42K in an impersonation scam. Detective says ‘no way’ bank should have authorized the transfersRain Chances Increase Across Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida This WeekendMan talks intense moments after his work car was stolen during police chase in St. Johns County Read full article: Man talks intense moments after his work car was stolen during police chase in St. Johns CountyRain Chances Increase Across Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida This WeekendFILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, Nov. 18, 2024. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Washington. – The Trump administration is bringing back dozens of Education Department staffers who were slated to be laid off, saying their help is needed to tackle a, which investigates possible discrimination in the nation's schools and colleges. But in a Friday letter, department officials ordered the workers back to duty starting Dec. 15 to help clear civil rights cases.A department spokesperson confirmed the move, saying the government still hoped to lay off the staffers to shrink the size of the department. “The Department will continue to appeal the persistent and unceasing litigation disputes concerning the Reductions in Force, but in the meantime, it will utilize all employees currently being compensated by American taxpayers,” Julie Hartman said in a statement. In the letter to employees, obtained by The Associated Press, officials said the department needs “all OCR staff to prioritize OCR's existing complaint caseload.” The office handles everything from complaints about possible violations of disability rights to racial discrimination. More than 200 workers from the Office for Civil Rights were targeted in mass layoffs at the department, but the firings have been tied up in legal battles since March. An appeals court cleared the way for the cuts in September, but they're again on hold because of. In all, the Education Department workforce has shrunk from 4,100 when President Donald Trump took office to roughly half that size now, as the president vows to wind down the agency. The department did not say how many workers are returning to duty. Some who have been on administrative leave for months have since left.had a backlog of about 20,000 discrimination cases when Trump took office in January. Since then, with a significantly reduced workforce, the backlog has grown to more than 25,000, Trump officials have defended the layoffs even as complaints pile up, saying the office wasn't operating efficiently, even at full staff. The Office for Civil Rights enforces many of the nation's laws about civil rights in education, including those barring discrimination based on disability, sex, race and religion. It investigates complaints from students across the country and has the power to cut funding to schools and colleges that violate the law, though most cases are resolved in voluntary agreements. Some former staffers have said there's no way the office can address the current backlog under the staffing levels left after the layoffs. Families who have filed discrimination complaints against their schools say they have noticed the department's staffing shortages, with some waiting months and hearing nothing.The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Jacksonville mother, 2 young children homeless after apartment fireNews4JAX wraps up its 2025 Toy DriveNew fire station coming to Clay County for the first time in over 25 yearsLocal man shares warning after catching rare bacteria while fishing in St. Johns CountyVoices of the 904 Ep. 7 - The one-man army cooking with a passion to feed the city that raised himVoices of the 904 Ep. 7 - The one-man army cooking with a passion to feed the city that raised himSt. Johns County sheriff explains what led to deadly deputy-involved shootingFinal full moon of 2025 expected to be supermoon3 bills propose rules to prevent child drownings in Florida. There have already been 112 this yearSt. Johns County commissioners push for developers to pay for land conservationTracking rain, storms across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia
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