Hsa Win remembers walking into North High School the first time. He spotted a banner that read “Welcome” in his native language.
Win, an immigrant, felt as though he belonged.
Fast forward to Monday night. Win joined a collection of community members during the public comment section of the Akron Board of Education meeting to ask the school district to ignore new federal guidelines to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — despite the risk of losing tens of millions in funding.
“If this policy is repealed, what does it mean?” Win, a 2018 North graduate — the first in his family to graduate from high school — rhetorically asked the school board.
“It means that we are repealing American fundamental values and promises.”
More than a half dozen people spoke during public comment, condemning Superintendent Michael Robinson’s agenda items to gut DEI policies and urging board members to protect them.
Last year, APS received $85 million in federal funding. Those dollars primarily went to special education, early childhood education, school nutrition, English as a Second Language, driver’s education and after-school programs.
Meghan Lugo, whose research at the University of Akron includes diversity, equity and inclusion, told the school board she understands the challenges facing U.S. public school districts as they ponder how federal guidance could impact funding. Lugo also shared she’s had similar conversations with her children — how president Donald Trump’s anti-DEI stance is impacting Mommy’s job.
And now, she has a choice.
“I can cower in fear and hide with my tail between my legs in the face of irrefutable wrongdoing, or I can stand up for what’s right even if it’s hard,” said Lugo, an assistant professor at the University of Akron.
“And I choose the latter, and I hope you all do too.”
N.J. Akbar, who helped author the school district’s racial equity policy, gave a fiery speech, focusing on the policy’s value to students. Akbar said the policy that was drafted in 2020 has served as a model for public school districts across the country.
“We were on the right side of history then, and we need to be on the right side of history now,” said Akbar, who served as president of the Akron Board of Education from 2019 to 2023.
Clock ticking on district’s DEI decision
During the meeting, Robinson defended his decision to ask the school board to gut racial equity and DEI policies, citing programs that federal funds support in Akron, as well as the difficult and shifting federal legal landscape.
“I want to ensure our community that this is not the end, this is not final,” Robinson said. “… We’re going to continue to work through these challenges and engage in ongoing conversations with our board.”
Time is running out on a decision.
A “Dear Colleagues” letter from the Department of Education to U.S. public school districts — including APS — states educational entities must disband DEI policies by Feb. 28 or risk losing federal funding.
Wednesday, Feb. 26: Board members to begin discussion in special Equity meeting
In Akron, one of the school board’s first orders of business Monday was to move Robinson’s proposed changes to new business — before deferring them to committee. The Equity Subcommittee meeting, which was slated to be disbanded and replaced with an “Operations Committee” on the agenda, will meet Wednesday in a special meeting open to the public.
“We’re trying to move it a little slower, so that’s why we’re rescinding it at this point,” said Bruce Alexander, vice president of the school board.
Lugo, who received her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Purdue University, understood it’s challenging for public school districts to understand how federal guidance may impact funding as well as parse whether guidance is legal and compliance is necessary.
“I also therefore understand that throwing the baby out with the bathwater is not only unnecessary but represents a weak and cowardly path forward,” Lugo said.
