Facing the possible loss of millions in federal funding, WSHS students and teachers say the uncertainty has raised questions about whether Title IX protections, and the opportunities they guarantee, will remain intact.
Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. With as much as $167 million in federal funding at stake, students are questioning whether the district can uphold its commitment to equity if cuts occur
For junior band member Natalie McDonald, even the prospect of reduced funding feels personal.
“I have always felt included in the band and have learned a lot from my experiences in it,” McDonald said. “If funding was cut, things like instrument repairs and travel support could disappear. Funding helps lower the cost of band and band-related activities and makes it more accessible for students to join the program.”
Theater student senior Bailey Cole expressed similar concerns about the future of the theater program if funding were to be cut.
“Arts programs help students grow in ways that math or sciences can’t,” said Cole. “Theater isn’t just about performing. It offers students a safe space to explore new viewpoints and express themselves. Cutting funding for theater would take away those chances for personal growth that don’t happen in a regular classroom.”
Senior theater student Max Gerstenberg highlighted the broader social and emotional impact of theater on students.
“Theater teaches teamwork, empathy and confidence,” Gerstenberg said. “If there were major funding cuts it’s not just missing props or costumes—it’s missing opportunities.”
For students facing funding cuts and shrinking programs, these skills aren’t just lessons; they’re survival tools.
“Almost every Thespian Board member’s end-of-year speech gives insight on the effect of theater on all different kinds of people. Some talk of never fitting in, not being pushed up by people around them and being in an unwelcoming environment. For them, and for all of us in the program, theater was the savior,” said Gerstenberg.
Within this sentiment Gerstenberg echoes the importance of support.
“However, with all that goes into the theater program, we need to have enough money to break even and make a profit.”
Still, he acknowledges that support hasn’t disappeared entirely.
“Luckily, we get funds from the school to help us out, even though the budget has been cut down,” said Gerstenberg, “The community is strong and, I don’t think any budget cuts will drive people away, but it may prevent people from finding and deciding to do theater.”
ESOL teacher Caitlin Gorman worries that the stakes go way beyond the potential loss of extracurricular funding.
“Budget cuts will impact our most vulnerable students, like our students with disabilities and our newcomer population,” said Gorman, “I have many students who have experienced traumatic events, or escaped from their home country and who need resources.”
Echoing the importance of this support, ESOL teacher Ying Smith emphasized the importance of the funding so that the program can prepare children for their future.
“There will always be immigration in this country, sometimes more, sometimes less. Most of the multilingual parents I know are hard-working, sometimes working two or three jobs to provide for their children,” Smith said.
Smith went on to outline the issues that could occur if ESOL faced budget cuts and language learning became less accessible.
“Some of them (multilingual parents) are well-educated from their home countries, but working in blue-collar jobs because they do not have the language skills to do a similar job in the U.S.,” said Smith.
According to Smith, ensuring children can succeed requires not just dedicated teachers but also stable funding.
“Ultimately, cuts to federal funding would compromise our capacity to provide high-quality, equitable instruction, and would diminish the support structures that help our Multilingual Learners thrive,” said Smith.
Smith added that funding loss could not only hinder progress but undercut it.
“The impact of reduced federal funding on our ability to serve Multilingual Learners would be significant. We could face fewer ESOL staff positions, leading to larger caseloads and less individualized instruction, which would slow language acquisition and academic growth,” said Smith.
While no final decisions have been made, officials have warned that nutritional services and cafeteria staffing are currently at risk, but academic support could also be affected.
“Losing funding would feel like limiting a part of the school’s personality and some of the aspects that make learning most enjoyable,” said Cole.
