The U.S. Department of Education cautioned educational institutions about the potential consequences of implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which may lead to a loss of federal funding.
In response to this, the Akron Public Schools Equity Committee in Ohio spent time refining its racial equity policies to align with federal guidelines. As part of these efforts, the committee removed language associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This adjustment was prompted by a “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The letter, issued recently, served as a warning to educational institutions regarding the enforcement of DEI policies and the risks it poses to federal funding.
For weeks, the committee has gone line by line, striking terms such as “equity,” “racial” and “culturally responsive” at the suggestion of the current administration.
“One thing, I think, that remains unique to Akron is the fact that we are readjusting the paradigm of how we’re viewing this work,” Committee Co-chair Rene Molenaur said during the meeting, contrasting their actions with what she described as other school districts who “simply pull(ed) it (their policies) down” without much discussion.
During the more than three-hour meeting, members debated the extent of the changes. Some argued the district should still include language that reflects its commitment to students and staff.
“The laws, policies, and guidelines, those are the bare minimum,” Molemaur explained of the federal directives. “I think there are still things that we can put in our policy that we want to do go that is in support of our staff and of our community that are above the bare minimum.”
Lathardus Goggins II, education chair of the Akron NAACP, raised concerns about the revisions, urging the board to maintain its commitment to racial equity. He also stressed his belief that President Donald Trump “does not have the power of the purse.”
“There must be a commitment to the principles of the policies,” Goggins told 3News in an interview. “That hasn’t changed, that should not change.”
While concerned about the changes, Goggins remains hopeful that the district’s efforts won’t erase years of progress.
“That all students, they have what they need to experience success. That’s the commitment,” he said. “That’s the work of public schools, and that’s the thing that cannot be undone, should not be undone.”
Akron Public Schools says a system of checks and balances is in place regarding proposed changes to policy language. Thursday’s edits will go before the Law Committee next week for further consideration.
