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Broward board terminates Latinos in Action contract without cause after federal concern over possible racial quota
Summary
The board voted 6-3 to terminate the district's agreement with Latinos in Action (termination without cause) after the federal Department of Education raised concern about language on the organization's website suggesting an 80/20 participation threshold; student leaders and supporters warned of harm to students.
The School Board of Broward County voted 6-3 to terminate without cause its agreement with the nonprofit Latinos in Action after federal correspondence indicated the organization's website included language suggesting an 80/20 participation threshold that could violate Title VI and risk federal grant funding.
Board members who voted to terminate said federal correspondence and the lack of a substantive organizational response made termination the prudent course to protect about $30 million in federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program funds. "I will not allow this district to partake in or to engage with any company, any vendor who is breaking the law," a board member said, citing the federal concern. Board counsel read the recommended action as a termination without cause (for convenience) and advised against discussing factual reasons in detail during the public motion so as not to undermine the legal posture of a termination without cause.
Other trustees and students expressed disappointment. Landon Svelberg, the student advisor, said Latinos in Action "has been a powerful program in our district" and described the program's longstanding benefits to students; he urged the board to find comparable curricular alternatives. District staff said they have communicated with the Department of Education and provided the district's contract to federal staff; general counsel characterized the matter as a termination for convenience, not a finding of unlawful conduct by the district.
Board members recorded differing views about whether the district had received a formal response from the organization; some said they had received no substantive reply. The board approved the termination without cause to avoid jeopardizing federal funding. Staff said the academic team would work with schools to identify comparable programs or curricula for affected students.
