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D11 board to review equity policy AG after Office for Civil Rights letter; members split on repeal
Summary
The Colorado Springs School District No. 11 board discussed whether to revise or repeal equity policy AG after receiving a February 14 letter from the U.S. Department of Education—s Office for Civil Rights.
At its March 19 work session the Colorado Springs School District No. 11 Board of Education discussed a February 14 letter from the U.S. Department of Education—s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and considered whether to revise, elevate or repeal the district—s equity policy AG.
Why it matters: the OCR letter flagged areas where policies and practices should comply with federal nondiscrimination requirements; board members said the district must respond carefully because federal funding could be implicated.
Legal counsel—s summary and options: board members reported legal guidance that presented two options: (1) revise the equity policy to a higher, "30,000-foot" level that would closely resemble the district—s nondiscrimination policy, or (2) repeal the equity policy. Board members said parts of the equity policy overlap with existing nondiscrimination language and with the district—s strategic policy AD (vision/mission/strategic planning).
Board positions: several board members publicly stated they support repealing the equity policy on the grounds that its language is repetitive of other policies; President Melpakam reported that an absent board member, Director Jorgensen, had indicated support for repeal. Other board members urged retaining and defending the policy. One board speaker (name not specified in the public transcript) said: "I would prefer we keep the policy. I will oppose any attempts to take away something that recognizes that we need to do right by every one of our children." That speaker said the equity policy had been developed with substantial community input and that it commits the district to providing "appropriate resources needed to achieve success" and to maintain "safe school environments for all students."
Next steps and board action: the board directed staff to bring the equity policy forward as a non‑action item at the next board meeting; the item will be reviewed and the district will collect community feedback before any formal vote. President Melpakam and multiple directors indicated they supported placing the policy on the next agenda for review and possible repeal.
No formal repeal vote occurred at the work session. Legal counsel will continue to review suggested edits and districts staff will solicit community comment before the policy returns as an agenda item.
