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BUUSD trustees hear update on federal Title VI assurance; board advised to "sit tight"
Summary
Board members were briefed on a late federal request for every school district to sign a Title VI assurance and were advised to take no action until the state Agency of Education responds. The assurance relates to nondiscrimination language tied to consolidated federal grants; the district’s consolidated federal grant exceeds $1 million.
The Barre Unified Union School District #97 board heard an update about a federal request for school districts to sign an assurance tied to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was advised to take no immediate action.
The board was told that the Agency of Education had asked districts to review and sign the assurance by Thursday and that, at the time of the meeting, associations and attorneys were meeting with Secretary Saunders and the agency to determine whether the state could sign an assurance on behalf of Vermont districts. A district staff member told the board the consolidated federal grant for the district exceeds $1 million but that the allocation for the specific title cited was not specified.
The staff member said the language included in the assurance relates to diversity, equity and inclusion and that the document had been circulated late in the week. “I’m asking board members, let’s sit tight and and figure this out, and it will we will get there. We’re not taking a position at this point,” the staff member said.
Board members asked clarifying questions about whether the district was currently in violation of Title VI and about possible financial impacts. The staff member responded that the district was not aware of any Title VI violations and reiterated that the situation was evolving at the state level. Several trustees noted that other states, including New York, Massachusetts and Maine, had already begun taking public positions or filing responses to the federal request.
No formal action was taken. The board’s chair moved the item onto the agenda for information only and encouraged trustees to await further detail from the Agency of Education and from counsel before any vote or district-level assurance signing.
Board members who raised questions were told legal counsel and statewide associations were working on a common approach and that staff would report back when more definitive guidance or a recommended action was available.
