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Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘DEI' resolution fails after USBE members' disagree on language
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A motion by the that sought to remove remaining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Utah schools has failed after members of the board couldn't come to an agreement on the resolution's language and effects. Voting 4 to 10, members of the board had expressed concerns regarding the resolution's impact on existing programs and the language used within the resolution. The board reported during the meeting that several members had received 'hundreds' of emails regarding the resolution, including concerns over how the resolution would affect programs like Latinos in Action and special needs programs. 'I think we have overwhelmingly heard from those that care deeply across the state about programs that are impacted and targeted by this language,' Sarah Reale (D – District 5), member of the Utah School Board. 'Do we believe there is a space or language that would actually be acceptable and be something that the public would approve of? To me, we already have a law in place. We don't need this resolution, there are better things we can be working on right now.' PREVIOUS: USBE cites communism in new resolution to remove DEI The resolution, sponsored by Christina Boggess (R – District 8), sought to be an enforcement resolution for laws that were passed by the State Legislature in the 2024 General Session. It used language saying DEI was 'attempting to achieve the Soviet Communist goal of actual equality,' and used 'ethnic minorities' to advance communism in society. 'I am sure that I will offend some of you. However, this resolution is nonsense,' Jeanetta Williams, President of the Salt Lake Branch NAACP, said in a letter addressed to the school board. 'American DEI grew from US domestic politics, not soviet thinking. Passing the resolution with the Soviet reference would be an embarrassment to the State of Utah.' The letter penned by Williams also expressed concerns over the vagueness of the resolution. Saying that it had not listed specific programs, thus the resolution could confuse local school districts in their application of the resolution. In an amended version of the resolution, shown at the board meeting, language was added to affirm individual rights and to clarify that the resolution wouldn't affect special education programs. After the motion failed, several measures followed to postpone the measure to next month's meeting, or to postpone voting on the measure indefinitely. Both motions failed. A further measure to send a response to those who had contacted the board regarding the measure failed as well. The meeting moved to lunch and the measure was not revisited. It is currently unclear whether the board will return to the issue. In speaking with a representative of the board, was told that 'significant changes' would have to be made to the resolution to be heard again by the board. Otherwise, the board would have to vote to reconsider their action in a future meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah school board won't sign anti-DEI resolution, letter pushing to end U.S. Education Department
Utah State Board of Education discuss an anti-DEI resolution on April 3, 2025 (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch) A Utah State Board of Education resolution banning diversity, equity and inclusion from public schools failed with a 4-10 vote on Thursday. Much of the discussion around the resolution centered on whether to delay a vote on the controversial proposal made by board member Christina Boggess. There were questions about specific examples of Utah schools not complying with a 2024 law restricting DEI efforts in all public institutions, and also whether a rule, and not a resolution, would be a more appropriate path to eliminate DEI programs. LeAnn Wood, a board member who supported postponing the discussion indefinitely, said she worried about the hundreds of calls and emails she received from constituents in her district about the resolution. That much angst, she said, indicates something is not right. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'I don't think a resolution is the answer. If we need to define what compliance looks like, then we need to do that,' she said. 'We need to do our job. We do not need a political statement of what we think should be happening.' Boggess, however, pushed back against an indefinite postponement. 'I think we're giving the proverbial middle finger to the Legislature,' Boggess said. 'I think we're giving the proverbial middle finger to our federal agencies who have spoken very boldly on these issues and have asked us to address them.' Utah State Board of Education to consider resolution tying DEI programs to communist goals The draft, which had been controversial among Utahns for tying DEI programs to communist goals, was updated to eliminate references to communism and to make distinctions for special education programs, among other provisions. But, ultimately, like all of the proposed actions to postpone the discussion, the resolution failed. A couple of members from Latinos in Action, a nonprofit that offers a year-long elective course aimed to bridging opportunity and graduation gaps for Latino students, spoke against the resolution during the meeting's public comment section. Christian Hernandez, a social studies teacher, highlighted how immigrants have vastly contributed to innovation in the country and why programs like Latinos in Action are necessary to provide leadership tools and academic support for students who may feel overlooked. 'The notion that programs like (Latinos in Action) are Soviet style is divisive and misleading,' Hernandez said. 'Programs like this embody the very spirit of America, and how we can become leaders promoting progress and opportunity.' Under Utah's anti-DEI law, affinity and cultural groups in public institutions are still permitted as long as they don't exclude anyone based on their race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or gender identity. However, according to Hernandez, the program would have to be eliminated if the resolution passed. However, Boggess pointed to an addition to the draft made by Utah's congressional delegation, she said: 'Without a firm directive to comply with the Executive Order, the State of Utah stands to lose Federal Funding for education,' the newest version of the resolution states. And, she said the resolution had to be considered seriously, since she's personally aware of over 100 complaints of DEI violations in Utah schools made in a U.S. Department of Education online portal. Board members also raised other concerns about the resolution. 'This appears to be a rule dressed as a resolution,' said member Joseph Kerry, questioning whether approving it would go against the board's policies. It would actually violate two of their policies, a member of the board's legal counsel said — backing a resolution that mandates something to happen as if it were a rule, and the board's policy on policies, which dictates that all board policies are binding. The majority of the board also voted against signing a letter of intent addressed to President Donald Trump, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the Utah congressional delegation to allow the state to manage federal dollars for education purposes. 'I think there's nothing wrong with us saying, 'if you're going this direction, we've got the qualifications to do this,'' member Jennie Earl said. 'I think this also lets the legislature know we can do this.' But, that proposal also failed despite some attempts to make it shorter and 'less disparaging' to federally-managed programs, according to board member Carol Lear. But, still, after the Utah Legislature rejected to fund some items the board deemed important for Utah students, many of the members said they don't trust the state to protect some programs that are managed at the federal level. Lear cited programs like Utah Fits All, the school voucher program that the state's largest teacher union is challenging in court for its constitutionality, and a 2025 bill that — before it was vetoed — would have rerouted property tax revenue for schools into the state general fund. She also fears for programs like the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which provides students experiencing homelessness with equal access to public education. 'That's not going to be a popular use of funds for either the state or for individual LEAs, so I am one very grateful person that those children are served directly by federal regulations,' Lear said. Other members, like Boggess, said that while they believe government is best when it is closer to the people, they still were skeptical about the move, especially because it would imply that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would take over Department of Education tasks 'It presents this conundrum wherein we advocate for the abolition of an agency which only redirects to an agency that is not an expert in education,' Boggess said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'We can make it': Teacher's class helps Hispanic students prepare for college, careers
GREENACRES — Carla Rodas didn't know it that day, but she discovered her life's mission the moment her guidance counselor told her she couldn't go to college. Rodas was an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. She soon proved that counselor wrong, becoming the first person in her family to graduate from a U.S. university and then earning a master's degree. Now a teacher, she assures her students at John I. Leonard High School that their DACA or temporary immigration status will not keep them from getting an education or building a career. And she helps them chart a course to make those goals happen. 'It's like going back to that moment and being the teacher that I needed back then,' said Rodas, who has taught for 15 years in Palm Beach County schools. 'A dream come true': Single mom hopes her Habitat home inspires other young parents to try Rodas was teaching at Woodlands Middle School west of Lantana in 2019 when Leonard's former principal, Melissa Paterson, called her. She wanted her to teach the school's Latinos in Action class, which bridges 'the graduation and opportunity gap' for Hispanic students. Leonard was the first Palm Beach County school to start the class, now offered in 16 states, and for good reason: 70% of its students are Hispanic. Rodas had wanted to teach at Leonard ever since her oldest son returned from his first day there celebrating that he no longer had to hide his Tupperware of rice and frijoles during recess. She transferred there in 2020 and immediately felt at home. That Christmas, instead of gift cards, students gave her handmade tamales, arepas and empanadas. One bride's story: Dance, determination helped her beat cancer. Would they help her beat a new health scare? Rodas describes Latinos in Action as teaching pride about culture, preparing students for college or trade school and developing teens into leaders who give back. Students learn to research careers, write resumes and prepare for interviews. They get lessons on how to make a budget, organize community projects and eating etiquette. They also talk about the history and traditions of each Caribbean and Hispanic nation and even go into racial stereotypes and colorism within Latino communities. 'It's a quilt of everything they need to know to feel confident in the real world,' she said. Each year begins with 'Mi Historia." Each student must share their story. Rodas breaks the ice by telling her own. She was 10 when her family fled from the civil war in Guatemala. It flew to San Francisco on tourist visas and overstayed them to start a new life. In Guatemala, her father was a doctor for indigenous tribes and her mother was an accountant. In San Francisco, her mom raised her while working as a housekeeper. She recounts the fear she felt every time her mother laid out a plan just in case 'La Migra" knocked on the door. She ends being accepted to universities, receiving scholarships and obtaining permanent residency. 'You crushed it': How a 7-year-old Gardens boy saved his mom during an epileptic seizure Afterward, Rodas says many students admit they are undocumented, that their parents don't live in the U.S. or recount their journey here. It's important they know their stories and feel proud of where they come from, Rodas said. She reminds them they are diamonds being forged under pressure. 'It wasn't our choice to come here. We were brought here for a better future,' she said. 'But we can make it. We aren't going anywhere.' Rodas loves it when her students wear traditional clothes to graduation, call her when they open college-decision letters and stage events like a community Quinceanera. Her proudest moments, however, come from people like Mario, who crossed the border at age 15 from Guatemala. 'I am proud of you': How 10 girls had the quinceañera they thought they'd never get to enjoy He didn't even speak Spanish when he arrived in Latinos in Action. He picked up broken English on his journey to the U.S and mostly spoke Kaqchikel, an indigenous language. After school, Mario worked in construction and lived in a rented room. In 'Mi Historia,' Mario said he dreamed about going to college, Rodas said. By the time he graduated, Mario had a 4.0 GPA and he attended Palm Beach State College on scholarships. 'He had everything against him,' Rodas tells her students. 'You guys have no excuse.' Rodas is confident her students will become leaders in Palm Beach County and professionals proud of their roots and stories. 'Mission accomplished,' Rodas said. "It's like giving back my little grain of sand to my community.' Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@ and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Teacher's class helps Hispanic students prepare for college, careers
