Utah State Board rejects resolution directing removal of DEI programs after heated public comment

The Utah State Board of Education voted down a resolution that would have directed local school districts to disband programs and materials referred to as “diversity, equity and inclusion,” after extended public comment and nearly seven hours of debate at its April 3 meeting.

The resolution, introduced by Member Boggess, drew dozens of public commenters both for and against the measure during the meeting’s public-comment period. Many educators and parents urged the board to reject the resolution, saying it would chill programs that help marginalized students. Others said the board should act to ensure compliance with state law restricting DEI programming.

Why it matters: Supporters of the resolution said they wanted clear limits and compliance with recent state legislation; opponents said the draft was too broad and could eliminate programs such as English‑learner supports, special-education inclusion, cultural clubs and student leadership programs. The board’s vote leaves the existing statutory and rule enforcement framework in place but did not produce a board-level policy directing the statewide removal of programs.

Members of the public who opposed the resolution included teachers and program leaders who said the term “DEI” is applied to many different activities. “This resolution does the opposite. It turns our backs on kids who need us most,” Rachel Farnsworth, a parent, said during public comment. Several teachers described classrooms where identities are used as assets in instruction and warned that removing supports would harm student learning.

Public comment also included speakers supporting the measure. Linda Snarr said the words “diversity, equity, inclusion” sound “nice,” but she described personal experiences she said showed negative results from those practices and urged the board to support the resolution.

Board debate centered on whether a resolution — which carries no rulemaking force — was the right tool to address compliance questions raised under legislation enacted by the Utah Legislature, and whether the proposed language was specific enough about which programs or practices would be prohibited. Member Hall proposed postponing consideration; other members argued the board should vote the measure up or down rather than leave the public waiting.

Member Boggess, the sponsor, said the draft reflected concerns raised to the board and included language shaped by federal officials; she said it was intended to prompt compliance with state law. Critics including Member Riel and Member Lear said the board should not use a resolution to make what looked like a rule, and questioned whether the board had authority to require districts to rescind materials without a rulemaking process.

The final vote failed. The board recorded four votes in favor and ten against. Those voting in favor included Member Brinton, Member Boggess, Member Hall and Member Green. The resolution did not pass, and the board took no further formal action to adopt additional statewide prohibitions beyond current state law and board rules.

What’s next: Board members and staff said they will continue to receive public comment and follow the Legislature’s direction on enforcement and audits. Several members urged clearer rulemaking or a committee process if the board decides to develop a policy that would change how districts operate.

Ending: The discussion illustrated sharp statewide disagreement about the definition and use of DEI-related practices in schools. For now, the board left implementation and enforcement to the existing statutory framework and the agency’s routine compliance processes.