Virginia Beach School Board Suspends DEI

The Virginia Beach School Board voted 6-3 to a resolution on April 8, that aimed at suspending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the division. It is a move that is intended to ensure the school division can secure its full $74 million in federal funding.

“When that funding is threatened, schools are forced into positions where they must choose between standing on their values or securing the resources their schools need,” said Brianna Lane, a second-year nursing major and member of the HU section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc. “Unfortunately, it’s often students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds who pay the price when schools cave to that pressure.”

Following an executive order from the Trump administration earlier this year, threatening to cut federal funding for schools that do not eliminate programs centered around DEI, many schools and businesses have complied with little regard for public opinion. 

“Decisions like this prioritize money over students and send a message that inclusion and equity are negotiable,” said Lane. 

According to Heather Sipe, with the Virginia Beach Education Association, “one of the tenets of our school board is to receive stakeholder input on anything that affects our schools, our students, and our staff,” per WTKR News 3. “They were not allowed to provide input on this.”

The resolution’s elimination of DEI will change the name of the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Department of Opportunity and Achievement. The school division’s equity plan and equity dashboard components will be suspended, according to WTKR News 3.

“By targeting DEI, it could lead to the targeting of other programs that work to inform and educate children about diverse perspectives,” said Phaedra Hyche, a third-year political science major and member of political science club. 

Despite recent “racist harassment” reported at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach weeks prior, the move to eliminate DEI strikes concern in former students of the Virginia Beach City Public School (VBCPS) system. 

“Without DEI frameworks, students may feel even more isolated, unsupported, and unsafe in their learning environments,” said Elisa Earls, a third-year Computer Science major from Virginia Beach. 

The Virginia Beach NAACP believes this resolution is a “troubling disregard for the values of inclusion, equity, and the democratic process,” according to Wavy News 10.

“It’s a complete disregard for the voices of the people most impacted,” said Lane. 

Kathleen Brown, the school board chair, indicated the Virginia Beach community would have an opportunity for public input once certain policies are reviewed again, but renaming the department will not change, according to WTKR News 3.