Trustees review recent federal executive orders; superintendent warns of potential funding and Title IX impacts

Humboldt County School District trustees on Feb. 10 reviewed new federal executive orders aimed at education policy and school choice and discussed possible local impacts on curriculum, special education funding and athletics.

Superintendent Dave Ebert said the district has “taken our stance” on political neutrality and that the executive order aimed at “radical indoctrination” would not require curriculum changes for Humboldt because the district “doesn't adhere to that one.” He added the district is comfortable with current curriculum adoptions and “we're not about to go out and buy new curriculum.”

The nut of the trustees' concern was finance. Ebert warned the board that the administration is watching an executive order directing states to evaluate federal discretionary funds for family choice initiatives. “If we see a diversion of federal dollars away from school districts, that will have a negative impact on us,” he said, noting the district is already projecting a roughly 20% reduction in Title I funds for the upcoming year. He said the law’s implementation would be at states’ discretion and pointed to gubernatorial interest in school choice as a separate risk to district revenue.

Trustee Nicole (first name used in meeting transcript) pressed for clarity about whether a president can abolish the U.S. Department of Education; she noted that legislative action is required to formally dissolve the department but that an administration can shift authorities within it. Ebert and other trustees also flagged a soon-to-be-reviewed executive order on Title IX and athletics that could affect participation by transgender students and prompted the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association to review its policies.

Trustees and staff also discussed program-level concerns. Ebert called attention to Project AWARE, a federal grant the district currently receives, and said the grant application “includes no diversity, equity, inclusion,” but acknowledged that some federal guidance could treat certain projects as permissible to include DEI components. Legal counsel Rob (first name only in transcript) reviewed the guidance and the superintendent said the district had worked with the Nevada Department of Education to resolve earlier federal drawdown freezes.

Trustees emphasized the board’s nonpartisan role and the need to monitor developments. Several board members requested the superintendent continue to circulate executive orders that may affect the district and to flag items that should be agendized for discussion or action.

Ebert recommended the Nevada Association of School Boards, NASS, NSEA and other statewide groups advocate that federal and state dollars remain directed to public education. “That's going to require our voice,” he said.