Virginia Beach school board rejects bid to pause parts of April DEI resolution after federal legal challenges

Virginia Beach — The Virginia Beach School Board failed to pause parts of its April 8 resolution loosening diversity, equity and inclusion provisions after a special meeting on May 6, 2025, during which the board heard a legal briefing and more than 100 public speakers. The motion to amend the prior vote, moved by Ms. Melnick and seconded by Mr. Cummings, was tied 5-5 and therefore failed.

Board members called the special meeting at 5 p.m. to receive a legal update, discuss a proposed amendment to the April 8 resolution and hear public comment. School board attorney Camille Linetti told members she intended to "set the stage for where things are procedurally" and that the presentation would "not be an in-depth legal analysis" but would summarize recent litigation and agency guidance arising from Executive Order 14190, issued Jan. 29, 2025.

The nut of the debate was whether to pause implementation of specified parts of the April 8 resolution — including instructions to suspend or alter Policy 5-4 (Educational Equity), parts of the 2025–2030 strategic framework and other actions — until federal courts resolve challenges to the executive order and related U.S. Department of Education guidance. The motion sought to pause resolution sections 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and a sentence in section 2 about suspending educational program…