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State declines USDOE form on diversity-related confirmations; superintendent flags potential federal grant risk
Summary
Massachusetts declined to sign a U.S. Department of Education form that would have required districts to certify they receive no funding for diversity, equity or inclusion initiatives. Auburn's superintendent said the state's refusal preserves compliance with Title VI but could leave an uncertain federal funding picture.
The Auburn School Committee heard an update on a federal request and the state's response that could affect federal grant funding for local schools.
Superintendent Dr. Chamberlain reported that the U.S. Department of Education circulated a form asking states to certify that districts comply with Title VI and that no federal funds support diversity, equity or inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Massachusetts, after consultation with the attorney general, chose not to sign the form. "I agree with the decision to not sign that form," Dr. Chamberlain told the committee.
Why it matters: the superintendent said the district's annual entitlement grants (special education and Title I, II-A, III and IV) are contingent on federal funding. She estimated that losing those entitlements would cost the district about $980,000 annually; state-wide the superintendent said the comparable total would be roughly $2 billion.
District and state actions Dr. Chamberlain said the state's interim commissioner, Patrick Tutwiler, sent a letter to U.S. DOE affirming that Massachusetts complies with Title VI while declining to complete the requested certification on DEI funding. The letter and the federal notice were included in the meeting packet.
Next steps and uncertainty The superintendent said the April 24 federal deadline for the form had not yet produced a clear outcome, and that no one currently knows whether the federal department will act to withhold funds. She said the district and state associations are communicating with federal and state officials and that she will forward the materials to town leadership so municipal officials are aware of the possible financial implications.
Committee members expressed concern about the potential impact on programs and students if federal entitlements were reduced or removed. No formal committee action was taken; the report was informational.
