There is rampant pessimism in the field, with lifelong educators believing it's not a question of *if* but *when* those funds will disappear again, this time for good. My wife will lose her job, and the health insurance that literally keeps her alive.

Should Musk or one of his goons not like (or just as likely, not *understand*) early childhood education as a project, the entire nationwide system for ensuring toddlers are safe and educated in schools will disappear overnight.

While after 48 hours of rampant chaos, DECAL was able to regain access to the funds, there is no guarantee this won't happen again tomorrow, meaning the entire nationwide infrastructure for early childhood education is in peril.

Last week we woke up to discover that DECAL had been locked out of the computer systems which access federal funds and had to immediately stop all payments to preschools. They scrounged enough cash to pay the state employees, but only barely. Preschools began to close their doors overnight.

Reading it now. So good!

@justinmcelroy.bsky.social *munch squad mouth noises*

Happy Birthday! Wild that Shaq sent me this as well.