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New Berlin district signs federal Title VI certification; board to consider joining coalition with legal group
Summary
Superintendent Garza told the New Berlin School Board she signed a compliance certification requested by the U.S. Department of Education to avoid jeopardizing federal funds and recommended joining a coalition organized by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty; the board asked for a draft resolution at its next meeting.
Superintendent Garza told the New Berlin School Board on the evening it signed a federal Title VI compliance certification requested by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to ensure the district remains eligible for federal funding.
Garza said she consulted with district legal counsel before signing and that the certification was submitted to avoid risking federal funds. “I did consult with legal counsel on that, and, again, we did sign off, and so we believe that we are in compliance with the expectation from the federal government. Because I'm not gonna play games with federal funding,” Garza said.
The certification followed a recent federal request tied to executive-branch changes on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) matters; Garza said the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction had urged districts to wait, but she opted to sign after consulting other districts and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL). She said the district also expressed interest in joining a WILL-led coalition that has direct contacts at the U.S. Department of Education so districts can receive information directly from federal sources.
Board members discussed whether joining the coalition would carry membership costs. Ms. Crosby asked, “But it wouldn't it wouldn't be, like, a membership dues or anything?” Garza replied that she understood there were no membership dues at this time.
Board President Janet Schultz said she had been copied on the certification and directed that she will bring a draft resolution to the board’s next meeting so trustees can formally consider joining the coalition. “So then, Janet will bring a draft resolution to the next meeting, and, the board can do as as they so choose,” Garza said.
The board did not take a final vote on joining the coalition at this meeting; Garza said she would keep the trustees informed as she receives further information from WILL and federal contacts.
The discussion occurred after a staff update and followed closed-session business earlier in the evening.
