By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — If the Trump administration sent a notice to the nation’s school districts seeking assurance that so-called “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” programs are being eliminated, it has not reached the in-box of Westport public schools, a district where improving the sense of belonging for all students is a mantra.

“I have no record of the letter that you describe being received,” Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said in an email to the Westport Journal on Friday.

The U.S. Department of Education reported sending a notice Thursday ordering K-12 school districts to sign a four-page certification affirming their compliance and to return it within 10 days or face possible loss of federal funding.

On Friday, the Connecticut Department of Education emailed school districts telling them to hang tight. The email says the feds had requested the state and district certify that they are in compliance with Title VI, the part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

At the same time, a March 3 release from federal education officials says that schools can have programs focused on specific cultures or heritages, but cannot use race as a factor in other aspects of student life.

“Please know that the [state Department of Education] is carefully reviewing the requested certification and will provide you with further information/instruction early in the upcoming week,” Matthew Cerrone, a state Department of Education spokesman, wrote in an email Friday to the Westport Journal.

Feds’ directives confusing

Cerrone said that some may be confusing the federal government’s Thursday press release requesting certification of compliance with a “Dear Colleague” letter sent Feb. 14 that prohibits students from being treated differently on the basis of race.

Scarice, asked a month ago about the district’s commitment to DEI in the face of federal backlash, replied Friday that local schools’ action plans will continue in an effort to foster a deep sense of belonging, mutual respect, compassion and empathy for all.

“That work this year has focused on analyzing performance and participation rates in programs across different demographics,” the superintendent said. 

“The closing of achievement gaps has been pursued in education for decades, that is part of this work. We are also analyzing the data of participation in academic and extracurricular programs across demographics,” he added. “At the core of all of our efforts has been working toward increasing the sense of belonging for all students.”

Scarice said from what he has interpreted, the thrust of federal efforts center on ensuring that academic institutions “cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, scholarships.”  

He said the district does not use race preferences for students, so he does not see a local impact by the federal stance. 

“I’m sure that federal funding could be jeopardized if districts do not follow the law,” Scarice said. “However … I do not see our local efforts in opposition to the primary thrust of the federal directives.

$1.6 million in aid at stake

In the current fiscal year, Westport schools receive nearly $1.6 million in federal funding, most of it to support special education.

Scarice said despite the federal discourse, the district’s DEI committee continues to implement its charge. “I have not heard staff questioning commitment,” he said.

Over the past three to four years, district DEI initiatives have been frequently updated at school board meetings. But it’s been a while since the last update. 

Scarice said Friday that with three Board of Education meetings remaining this school year, he is not sure when the next update might be presented.

More than a school mantra

Westport has made diversity, equity and inclusivity a guiding principal for some time — and not only for its schools.

In 2021, the Representative Town Meeting declared racism a public health crisis and committed to combat it. A resolution was passed to commit the town to foster equitable respect, belonging and treatment of all citizens, students, employees and visitors.

Freelance writer Linda Conner Lambeck, a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications, is a member of the Education Writers Association.