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Local civic groups say volunteer MOU was rejected over "DEI" concerns; chapters offer mentorship help anyway
Summary
Leaders of local chapters of Phi Beta Sigma and the National Pan Hellenic Council told the school board May 8 that a volunteer memorandum of understanding at Booker T. Washington Elementary was not signed by the district because staff cited concerns tied to DEI.
Community leaders told the Suffolk School Board May 8 that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would have let members of the Upsilon Psi Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma provide tutoring and classroom support at Booker T. Washington Elementary was not signed by the district, and that staff cited "DEI" (diversity, equity and inclusion) as the reason. The chapter’s president, Barry Dowdy, said his group had provided a three-page MOU, began regular volunteer activity and then was informed the district would not sign the agreement.
"We fell in love with the students,…
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