Enid, OK – The U.S. Department of Education has extended an offer to its employees, promising a $25,000 cash payout for those who voluntarily resign by midnight Monday. The announcement, which was sent out via email on Friday, comes as part of a broader plan for significant staff reductions within the agency.
Jacqueline Clay, the Department’s Chief Human Capital Officer, confirmed the email to The Hill, acknowledging the payout offer and warning of an imminent “Reduction in Force” (RIF). The offer stipulates that employees who decide to leave by the deadline will receive a one-time payment, though certain conditions apply. Employees who have been with the department for fewer than three years, as well as those who have received recent bonuses or other benefits, such as student loan repayment assistance, are not eligible for the payout.
“This is a one-time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force for the U.S. Department of Education,” Clay said in the email. The department did not disclose how many staffers had accepted the offer by the deadline.
The move is seen as part of a larger set of budget cuts and restructuring efforts that have already included placing dozens of employees on administrative leave. Additionally, the department has canceled nearly $1 billion worth of contracts. These actions coincide with the confirmation hearing for Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary. In her testimony, McMahon expressed support for reducing the size and scope of the Department of Education, aligning with President Trump’s broader goal to dismantle federal bureaucracies and shift educational responsibilities to state governments.
While the department’s complete elimination would require an act of Congress, the ongoing efforts signal that significant changes are on the horizon. Some experts speculate that the agency could face further downsizing or even complete closure in the future, although that outcome remains uncertain.
The offer for employees to accept a cash payout marks the latest step in a contentious push to overhaul the Education Department, with potential implications for the future of federal education policy.
