On Friday, April 4th, school districts across the state were ordered to re-sign Title VI certification by the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE).

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits race-based discrimination. As a federal law, schools that receive federal funding must affirm that they are complying with the details of Title VI. 

Erin Maguire, the Director of Equity and Inclusion at EWSD, says that the ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy throughout district schools is at risk.

“While the certification language may not explicitly prohibit DEI efforts, the broader messaging and actions from the USDOE [US Department of Education] and federal administration strongly suggest that intent,” Maguire said.

In response, Superintendent Beth Cobb and EWSD School Board Chair Robert Carpenter, with advice from Maguire and legal counsel, did not sign the new certification. They drafted a letter defending their decision.

“We [EWSD] already comply with Title VI under existing law and judicial precedent,” Maguire said. “We made it clear that this additional certification was unnecessary and that our equity practice will continue and is within the law.”

Before the letter was sent, however, the AOE revoked their request for districts to sign the certification following pressure by several education organizations, including the Vermont Superintendents Association, the Vermont School Boards Association, the Vermont Principals’ Association, and the Vermont National Education Association. 

In addition to meeting with the Attorney General and Secretary of Education for Vermont, these groups issued a joint letter requesting that the AOE refrain from signing on behalf of the districts:

“Expecting individual superintendents to certify compliance based on a cover letter (that they have not yet seen) that clarifies the legal boundaries of their certification will lead to a patchwork of responses that could put Vermont and local school districts at risk.”

Countless other Vermonters called and wrote to the AOE, urging them to join New York’s approach in declining to sign the federal request. However, Vermont’s AOE has yet to elaborate on their approach to the issue.

The AOE stated on April 9th:

“We have considered that approach thoroughly. We are ultimately convinced that our approach will better balance the need for Vermont schools to continue their important educational work, including in the DEI space, and to better protect Vermont’s receipt of federal funds.”

As for EWSD, Maguire said she and the leadership team will continue to oppose attempts by the current federal administration to make DEI policy illegal. 

“We remain committed to equity, inclusion, and compliance with civil rights laws as defined by long-standing legal precedent,” Maguire said.