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Dozens of Speakers Urge Board to Preserve DEI Policies; Community Groups Cite Legal and Student‑safety Concerns
Summary
Multiple community speakers addressed the board during public comment urging the School Board to delay dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Speakers cited court challenges to federal guidance, equity impacts, and potential harm to students if policies are removed.
Dozens of community members addressed the School Board during the public comment period, urging members not to dismantle the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Speakers included local NAACP leaders, parent‑advocacy groups and education advocates. Diedrich Strahan of the South Palm Beach County NAACP said rollback efforts had been prompted by a federal "Dear Colleague" letter and urged the board not to follow that pressure. Hazel Lucas of the Coalition for Black Student Achievement urged the board to delay policy changes and to protect MWBE contracting opportunities. "Please delay any attempts to dismantle Palm Beach County School District's DEI policies and objectives," Lucas said.
Several speakers referenced legal challenges to the federal letter and called it a "red herring." Others focused on student safety and mental health: one speaker cited CDC and Trevor Project statistics on LGBTQ youth suicide risk to argue for continuing protections and supports. Faith leaders said they would mount a coordinated civic response if the board moved to remove policies.
Board members did not take action on DEI during the meeting, though earlier agenda business included ratification of board advisory committee rosters and a split board vote on the District Diversity and Equity Committee membership. Several speakers requested the board slow any permanent policy changes and promised to continue community organizing and legal review.
The board did not respond to individual requests for policy reversal during the comment period; superintendent and staff said public comment items would be noted and administration would follow up where appropriate.
