Cincinnati Public Schools declined to sign a letter from the US Department of Education requiring Ohio school districts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
The government has threatened to withhold federal funds if schools do not meet the letter’s requirements. Ohio school districts have responded to the federal government’s letter in a variety of ways, with the majority signing it.
Cincinnati is the state’s largest district that hasn’t signed the letter.
On April 3, the United States Department of Education notified all state departments of education that they must collect signed certification letters from their state’s public school districts verifying compliance with its definition of racial discrimination laws under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The deadline for certifying compliance was April 18.
As of April 25, Cincinnati Public Schools has not signed the letter, the district confirmed.
“The District’s policies, programs and activities do not discriminate against students on the basis of race or any other protected characteristics,” Kareem Moffett, Cincinnati Public Schools’ board president, said in a statement released April 24.
“CPS did not sign the letter,” she added, “because the District’s policies and programs are supportive and welcoming to all students.”
The “Reminder of Legal Obligations” letter states that using diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to give one person an advantage over another based on race violates Title VI.
Moffett stated in the statement that “Cincinnati Public Schools follows the law and will continue to follow the law.”
The Ohio Department of Education stated that continued use of “illegal DEI practices” may result in the loss of federal funding and litigation with the United States Department of Justice.
Cincinnati Public Schools receives 10-14% of its funding from the federal government. This equates to approximately $53 million.
The figure was higher in previous years due to the use of COVID-related Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, which have since run out.
The response of other Ohio school districts varies
According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, 98% of public school districts, public charter schools, and STEM schools have certified themselves.
As of the morning of April 25, 1,086 districts had signed and returned certificates. Six people provided substitute documentation in lieu of the requested certification or submitted a certification with edited language.
Columbus City Schools approved a resolution to send to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce stating that it is already compliant with racial discrimination laws and thus eligible for federal funding.
According to the resolution, the requested certification is vague and ambiguous because it lacks a definition of “diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.” It’s unclear if the district signed the letter.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce reported that 15 districts did not submit certifications. This includes:
- Cincinnati Public Schools.
- Community STE(A)M Academy – Xenia.
- Dayton Public Schools.
- Elgin Local Schools.
- Greater Ohio Virtual School.
- Green Inspiration Academy.
- Kelleys Island Local School.
- Medina County Joint Vocational School District.
- Monroe County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
- Monroeville Local Schools.
- Seneca County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
- Shaker Heights City Schools.
- Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
- Warren County Educational Service Center.
Canton City Schools approved a resolution allowing the superintendent to sign the letter. The district declined to comment further on the next steps.
As of publication on April 25, Akron Public Schools had not responded to a request for comment.
What will happen to schools that refuse to sign the letter?
State legislators pushed back against the idea that districts could refuse to sign the letter.
“Either they sign it or we, the state of Ohio, will require them to do so,” said Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
Ohio lawmakers intend to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 schools, following the example of public universities and colleges, according to Brenner. That change could be included in the state’s two-year budget, which is currently being considered by the Legislature.
“This idea that this DEI stuff is appropriate, it’s not,” he said. “The socialist agenda is being pushed on students. It’s a political agenda being pushed on students, which is inappropriate for schools.”
Under Brenner’s proposal, parents, teachers, or district employees could file a complaint about DEI programs for the school board to consider. If there is a violation, the board will determine the appropriate penalty.
