Trump’s legal nonprofit has urged the U.S. Department of Education to investigate school districts in Ohio, claiming they have promoted an “illegal” agenda and violated federal anti-discrimination laws. The complaint focuses particularly on the Upper Arlington School District in Columbus, which has had a DEI policy in place since 2020.
The complaint asserts that during the summer of 2020, amid the protests for racial justice, the Upper Arlington Board of Education began implementing what it terms “racist and discriminatory” DEI policies. This was in response to the demand for equity for Black lives, it says.
The district responded by appointing a Chief Human Resources Officer to focus on “Developing Diversity in the Workforce.” Additionally, they established an equity advisory board to provide feedback on recruiting diverse staff and created a new position, Chief Excellence and Engagement Officer, charged with leading DEI efforts.
The complaint argues that the DEI practices within the district are inconsistent with current educational standards and may jeopardize federal funding for schools. Jacob Meckler, a lawyer representing the organization, stated that discrimination based on race and gender in schools not only breaks the law but also detracts from students’ education. He urged the Department of Education to investigate and potentially cut federal funding.
In 2023, concerns arose after a video surfaced showing district officials discussing how to subtly implement critical race theory. Matthew Boaz, the executive director of Inclusion in Upper Arlington, commented on the difficulty of addressing DEI issues in the face of legislative restrictions.
Upper Arlington’s Superintendent, Hunt, acknowledged receiving a letter addressed to the Department of Education and affirmed the district’s commitment to addressing allegations of discrimination. He expressed readiness to cooperate fully with any investigation.
A spokesperson from the Department of Education stated that they could not confirm specific complaints. Earlier this year, the department warned schools nationwide that failing to revise DEI policies could result in the loss of federal funds, emphasizing that racism in educational institutions would no longer be tolerated.
