McMahon says 300 Education staffers took $25K buyout

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Friday that approximately 300 employees took the Department of Education’s recent offer to be paid $25,000 to quit their jobs.

“The $25,000 was a buyout provision that was only good from the Friday that it was announced to the following Monday,” McMahon told 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 Education staffers, who number approximately 4,500, telling them they had until Monday at midnight to decide if they would like to quit the agency and receive $25,000. The offer also included a warning of significant layoffs in the future.  

“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 email.  

There were certain stipulations to the offer, such as employees could not take it if they have not been employed at the department for three years, have recently received a bonus or other award or got a student loan repayment benefit in the last three years. 

The offer came after dozens of Education Department staffers were already fired or put on administrative leave as McMahon and the president look to dismantle the department, with Trump planning an executive order to expedite the process that could come as soon as Friday.