Superintendent warns DOE 'Dear Colleague' letter could affect diversity-focused grants and third-party contracts

Superintendent Dr. Casimiro briefed the committee on a "Dear Colleague" letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights that warns districts to review policies, contracts and programs that rely on race- or gender-based criteria. She said the letter gives districts two weeks to review policies and third-party vendors whose practices might be flagged.

Dr. Casimiro said the district has two Increasing Educator Diversity grants and an Ed Rising grant that could attract scrutiny by title or by vendor practices. "We have two grants that, by just by the name of the title alone, would probably be flagged, and that's the increasing educator diversity grants," she said, and added the district has contracted with a teacher residency program but that invoicing and program start dates may be delayed until the situation clarifies. She said the district is compiling questions for state representatives and is cautious about signing additional contracts until legal and funding implications are clear.

The superintendent said some federal entitlement grants include state-level assurances (affirmative action and related certifications) and that Connecticut's overlay might complicate the federal picture. Dr. Casimiro and committee members said staff will review current contracts and grant assurances to assess risk and noted the additional staff hours required to complete that work.

No formal action was taken; the committee asked district leadership to report back as state and federal guidance evolves.