South Dakota schools monitor federal court cases on diversity equity inclusion mandates

The Huron School District Board of Education held a regular meeting on April 29, 2025, where key discussions centered around ongoing federal court cases impacting education policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The meeting began with an update on two significant court cases currently being monitored by the district. The first case involves the New Hampshire National Education Association versus the United States Department of Education. A recent decision in this case granted an injunction, which requires the Department of Education to halt actions regarding DEI programs while the legal process unfolds. This case is particularly relevant as it echoes recent discussions surrounding Harvard University and its funding issues related to DEI initiatives.

The second case discussed was the American Federation of Teachers versus the United States Department of Education, originating from Maryland. This case has resulted in a temporary suspension of a directive that mandated the removal of DEI programs from schools. The suspension is currently in effect concerning Title VI certification, which is crucial for federal funding.

The board noted that, to their knowledge, no schools in South Dakota currently have specific DEI programs. However, they emphasized the importance of monitoring these cases due to their potential implications for federal funding. The district has formally communicated to the Federal Department of Education that it does not have DEI programs, following advice from legal counsel and the South Dakota Department of Education.

The meeting concluded with a lighter topic, although details on this were not provided in the transcript. Overall, the discussions highlighted the district's proactive approach to navigating the complexities of federal education policies and their impact on local schools.