Horne: Schools on notice as Kyrene will lose $1.5 million with vote to defy federal guidance

Issues warning over DEI policies

PHOENIX – The Kyrene school district in Phoenix will give up more than $1.5 million in federal funds now that the governing board has adopted a policy that further embeds Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) language into district operations, according to state schools chief Tom Horne. He adds that all Arizona districts and charters are on notice to take this matter seriously.

At its April 8 meeting, the district’s governing board unanimously approved a “Staff Social Emotional Wellness Policy” that states, “Policy 1-204 Equal Opportunity - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outlines Kyrene’s commitment to value, respect, and celebrate diversity in the workplace.” This is contrary to recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education that says schools promoting DEI will forfeit federal dollars.  For the upcoming school year, the Kyrene district is expected to have a federal allocation of more than $1.5 million for funds to schools with low-income students, for teacher training and other programs.

Horne said, “Kyrene and any district or charter that is not taking the federal DEI guidance will lose their federal dollars. The U.S. Department of Education has been abundantly clear with its most recent guidance against the use of DEI language in schools. Federal law and the 14^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution are clear that no person shall be discriminated because of race, skin color or ethnicity, and this guidance aligns completely with my philosophy. By contrast, the use of DEI programs does just the opposite and promotes racial discrimination. Schools ignore the federal guidance at their own peril. This is not an empty threat, and districts and charter schools need to treat it seriously.”

The U.S. Department of Education sent a notification to state education agencies nationwide last week that educational institutions receiving federal funds must stop “using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, scholarship, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and other programs and activities.” The Arizona Department of Education has sent the federal guidance certification letter to districts and charters noting the federal requirement to respond by April 24. Failure to respond or to certify compliance will result in the department putting a hold on funding by the close of business on April 24. The department has certified its own compliance.

Horne concluded, “The most interesting philosophical divide in our country right now is between those like me who believe in individual merit, and those who want to substitute racial entitlement. DEI is all about racial entitlement. The problem with racial entitlement is that it does nothing to promote hard work, conscientiousness, or creativity. If those advocating for it succeed in having it replace individual merit, we will become a mediocre, third world country. China will become the dominant power.”