Richmond Public Schools parents speak after Dept. of Education urges districts to reject ‘discriminatory’ DEI practices

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Public School (RPS) leaders and parents are sounding off after some Trump administration policies could leave Virginia schools in danger of losing federal funding.

On Thursday, April 3, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) urged school divisions to get rid of discriminatory diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. 

“Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right. When state education commissioners accept federal funds, they agree to abide by federal antidiscrimination requirements. Unfortunately, we have seen too many schools flout or outright violate these obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.

Federal funding for things like the disabilities act and Title I schools could be in jeopardy if Virginia schools don’t comply.

RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras sent the following statement regarding the memo sent by the DOE:

“…I want to reiterate that there is absolutely nothing illegal about embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion as core principles. Diversity simply means variety — of background and perspective. Equity is about making sure those furthest from opportunity get the most support. That’s why we have more resources and personnel in schools serving the highest number of students from low-income households (which, after all, is literally the point of Title I). And inclusion is about making sure our schools feel welcoming to all students from all backgrounds. We don’t discriminate based on race, and embracing these principles is not tantamount to doing so. As noted above, I’ll be back in touch about this latest development soon.”

RPS parent and Dogwood Middle School PTA President Lauren Methena said the Trump administration is missing the point of what DEI means.

“DEI isn't about leaving anybody out, it's about making sure that everyone is invited in,” Methena said. “There are so many policies, even within education, that people don't realize that getting a good education is more difficult for some people. So, when you take off that ‘DEI lens,’ suddenly, [you] leave people out in the cold.”

Methena said she hopes community members rally behind the school district by donating money and talking to elected officials at the city and state level. 

“Tell them you want to see more funding go to education to make up those gaps so that we are not beholden to somebody dictating their agenda to us when their agenda does not serve us locally,” Methena said.

Parent Shannon Heady knows what it's like to have a child with a disability and said losing funding could drastically hurt students.

“Taking away that funding from my daughter because she's dyslexic and has ADHD, what would that mean for her?” Heady said. "It's already difficult for kids that have any kind of disabilities to get all this support. For her not to be able to attend the school she does or have the services she needs would be devastating.”

The DOE notified local school division superintendents that they have until 5 p.m. on April 11 to submit a signed form acknowledging the conditions.