Several Ohio schools refuse to comply with President Donald Trump’s anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mandate for schools nationwide and have refused to sign a compliance document or submit alternate versions.
According to Cleveland.com, nine systems — Cincinnati Public Schools, Kelleys Island Local, Medina County Joint Vocational School District, Monroe County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Monroeville Local, Seneca County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Shaker Heights City Schools, Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Warren County Education Service Center — did not send certifications to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
According to the report, 98% of Ohio’s 1,090 K-12 schools, charter schools, joint vocational school districts, boards of developmental disabilities and education service centers signed certifications.
However, some districts, such as the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, voted to adopt an alternate resolution.
In the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District’s case, its school board voted on April 17 to pass a version “affirming compliance with the law and commitment to a non-discriminatory learning environment.” It did not sign the version shared by state officials.
Superintendent Liz Kirby doubled down on the district’s stance in a letter to the school's community.
“Multiple states and organizations filed lawsuits against the federal government’s directive, and on April 24, judges in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and New Hampshire all found the Trump administration’s anti-DEI efforts cannot legally be enforced and temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing its certification letter requirement,” Kirby wrote in the letter, according to a version linked to by Cleveland.com. “We will continue to follow new developments, but I consider these decisions consistent with the Board’s actions in responding to the letter, and I am incredibly proud of how our school district responded.”
The U.S. Department of Education sent a “Dear Colleague Letter” to educational institutions that receive federal funds, telling education officials nationwide that they must stop using “race preferences and stereotypes” in admissions, compensation, hiring, and elsewhere. Schools that do not comply with the mandate risk losing federal dollars, often totaling millions per school district.
While some schools are standing firm, others relented under federal pressure. Akron Public Schools, for example, said it “initiated a strategic review” of its DEI “programs and policies” in February after receiving the letter.
Initiatives to bar DEI initiatives in the Buckeye State’s schools have been a priority issue among state lawmakers.
Ohio legislators began by barring DEI initiatives in Ohio’s higher education institutions. Now, they are considering legislation to ban it in the state’s public schools.
Senate Bill 113, which has been referred to the state Senate Education Committee, and House Bill 155, which has been referred to the House Education Committee, would ostensibly achieve the same objective if approved and signed into law. The bills would mandate that local boards of education adopt an anti-DEI policy within 90 days of the bill’s effective date.
“Naturally, as a District committed to equity, including support for all our students, we are concerned about this bill and its possible implications on our current policies and practices,” Kirby wrote of SB 113. “Additionally, there is the possibility that this bill could be worked into the state budget bill at the last minute - which on its own is a looming disaster for our schools.
“...As you consider writing letters and making calls regarding Ohio school funding, please share with lawmakers that SB 113 would have devastating effects on instruction, programming and services for all of our students -- including students of color, English learners, gifted students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities,” Kirby added. “We remain as committed as ever to our Equity Policy, which charges us in no uncertain terms to provide all students with access to educational opportunity and achievement.”
