Education Secretary McMahon says about 300 employees took $25,000 buyout before layoffs occur

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Friday that about 300 workers took the agency's offer to be paid $25,000 to leave their jobs.

“The $25,000 was a buyout provision that was only good from the Friday that it was announced to the following Monday,” she said during an interview with NewsNation.

The department sent out an email Feb. 28 to staffers informing them they had until Monday to decide whether to accept a buyout. The email warned that layoffs would likely happen in the future.

She said the option was available to about 4,500 employees with more layoffs expected. 

Dozens of Education Department staffers have already been placed on administrative leave or fired, according to The Hill newspaper.

President Donald Trump has made clear that he wants to get rid of the Department of Education and send learning back to the states.

McMahon said she supports the president in that goal.