Saratoga School Board Plans Discussion andVote on DEI, Transgender, and Immigrant Policies

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District’s Board of Education plans to discuss and then vote on a resolution that would affirm the district’s support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, as well as transgender students’ ability to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.

Further discussion of the resolution is scheduled to occur at the board’s Mar. 13 meeting before a vote at the Mar. 27 meeting. The resolution was proposed by Board Members Dr. Deborah Amory, Matthew Kopans, and Natalya Lakhtakia.

At a Feb. 27 meeting, Amory said she would “like to emphasize that this is not a political issue of Democrats versus Republicans, but rather it’s a statement of board values and commitments that seeks to affirm existing laws and policies intended to uphold the dignity and rights of our students.”

The resolution, titled “Affirming Our Support for Every Student,” states, among other things, that the board of education would:

• reaffirm its support for the district’s policy and regulation 0105 titled “Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education”
• uphold New York State laws safeguarding vulnerable populations and not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections
• affirm that every student has a right to an education regardless of immigration status, and that law enforcement officers may not question students on school property except under very specific conditions
• respect students’ chosen names and pronouns while also ensuring their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity

The resolution appears to be an attempt to combat several Trump administration policies that threaten to rescind federal funds from educational institutions that don’t comply with the president’s executive orders.

On Feb. 14, the Trump administration’s Department of Education sent a letter to educational institutions receiving federal funds notifying them that they must “cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and beyond.” The letter stated that “institutions that fail to comply may, consistent with applicable law, face investigation and loss of federal funding.” The Department of Education said it would begin assessing compliance on Feb. 28.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration also ended a policy that restricted federal agents from making immigration arrests at schools. Last week, a federal judge ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could indeed make arrests in schools. A Siena College poll released last month showed that nearly 80% of New York voters supported deporting immigrants living in the country illegally who have also been convicted of a crime, but only 39% supported deporting immigrants living in the country illegally who have not been convicted of a crime.

On Feb. 5, President Trump signed an executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,”  that threatened to rescind all funds from educational programs that “deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities” by allowing transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey of Americans found that 79% of participants said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports.

The following is the “Affirming Our Support for Every Student” resolution, as read by Amory at the Feb. 27 board meeting:

The Board of Education reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and high quality education for every student. Recent federal executive orders and communications targeting transgender students, immigrant youth, and important educational policies are antithetical to the principles of access and inclusion that define our schools and our community. New York State’s constitution guarantees a system of public schools wherein all the children of the state may be educated. This commitment was strengthened by landmark federal legislation such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as well as New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (known as DASA) and our constitutional equal rights amendment.

We stand firmly against any actions that undermine this tradition or threaten the dignity or rights of our students. To that end, we affirm the following commitments. First, dignity in education. Our board will create and support policies that uphold the inherent dignity of every student. We reject intolerant rhetoric or actions that undermine each and every student’s right to a free and fair education.

Next is commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We reaffirm our support for the district’s policy and regulation 0105, titled “Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Education.” We will continue to support our educators as they provide age-appropriate, accurate, and equitable education in our schools. We will uphold New York State laws safeguarding vulnerable populations and will not comply with directives that violate civil rights protections.

Support for immigrant students: we affirm that every student has a right to an education regardless of immigration status as determined by Supreme Court ruling Plyler v. Doe from 1982. We stand by our superintendent’s commitment to follow New York State guidance on these matters. Law enforcement officers may not question students on school property except under very specific conditions.

Support for transgender and gender expansive students: our schools will continue to be environments where transgender and gender-expansive students can safely express their authentic selves without fear of discrimination or harassment. We affirm the 2018 DASA amendment and will respect students’ chosen names and pronouns. We will ensure their right to use facilities and participate in activities and sports consistent with their gender identity.

Call to action: the board calls on families, educators, staff, students, and all members of our community to join us in affirming these commitments to provide a safe, inclusive, and high-quality education for every student. Together, we can ensure that each child in our district feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.