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Virginia Beach School Board adopts revised policy 5-4 after months of public comment on DEI
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment and internal debate, the Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-5 to adopt changes to policy 5-4 (educational equity), a measure critics said removes explicit references to diversity, equity and inclusion. The vote followed failed attempts to return the policy to committee and to amend it.
The Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-5 on May 27 to approve revisions to policy 5-4, the division's educational equity policy, after an extended public comment period that centered on whether references to "diversity," "equity" and "inclusion" should remain in school policy.
Supporters of keeping explicit equity language addressed the board in large numbers, including students and teachers who said removing those terms would strip protections and supports from historically marginalized students. Opponents said the policy as written prioritized ideological training over basic academic priorities.
The debate opened during the board's public comment period. "DEI provides essential support and resources so all students can thrive, regardless of race, background, identity, gender, or…
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