The newly appointed Education Secretary Linda McMahon claims hundreds of employees of the agency have taken the $25,000 buyout deal.
McMahon confirmed on Friday that around 300 employees accepted the Department of Education’s recent offer to leave their jobs in exchange for a $25,000 payment.
“The $25,000 was a buyout provision that was only good from the Friday that it was announced to the following Monday,” McMahon explained to NewsNation.
“So, that was about four days. On my last count, and I could stand to be corrected on this, I think we had over 300 people who did avail themselves of that opportunity for the buyout provision in early retirement,” she added.
Last Friday, an email was sent to the agency’s 4,500 employees, giving them until Monday midnight to decide if they wanted to accept the buyout offer. The email also warned of upcoming significant layoffs. “This is a one-time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force for the US Department of Education,” said Jacqueline Clay, a chief human capital officer, in the communication.
The offer included specific conditions, such as a requirement for at least three years of service at the department, among others. This buyout came after previous layoffs and administrative leave as McMahon and President Trump push to restructure the department.
