Vt. school protests state response to federal DEI policy

PLAINFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont school is protesting the state’s request to comply with federal rules on civil rights.

Twinfield School will stage a walk Thursday morning in an effort to defend DEI in Vermont.

Earlier this week, Education Secretary Zoie Saunders asked superintendents to sign on to an agreement reaffirming that schools follow existing laws that prohibit race-based discrimination.

Under the Trump administration, the definition of prohibiting race-based discrimination includes DEI policies.

That struck a chord with some school communities, like Twinfield, who want Vermont not to comply with the feds.

However, we now know that the education agency consulted with Vermont’s attorney general and says it will send a letter certifying the state is in compliance.

That’s in an effort to protect federal funding which officials say is a top priority.

The federal DEI policy is currently on hold for two weeks after facing a lawsuit from a New Hampshire organization, meaning no investigations or actions will be taken during that time.

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