April 30, 2025
Dear CH-UH Staff, Families, and Community,
I am writing to update you on recent legal proceedings regarding DEI in schools. As we shared with you on April 17, all public school districts in Ohio had until April 18 to either sign a certification stating that they are not engaging in any “illegal DEI practices,” or risk losing federal funding. This was per a directive from the U.S. Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW).
On April 17, the Board of Education voted to adopt this resolution, affirming compliance with the law and commitment to a non-discriminatory learning environment. Board President Malia Lewis signed this certification on behalf of the Board in lieu of the one given to us by the state*. The certification was sent to the ODEW per their instructions.
*In an email from ODEW on April 25, the CH-UH City School District was erroneously listed as having submitted the original certification letter. We have reached out to ODEW to ask that they correct this.
Multiple states and organizations filed lawsuits against the federal government’s directive, and on April 24, judges in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and New Hampshire all found the Trump administration’s anti-DEI efforts cannot legally be enforced and temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing its certification letter requirement. We will continue to follow new developments, but I consider these decisions consistent with the Board’s actions in responding to the letter, and I am incredibly proud of how our school district responded.
SB 113
While Thursday’s rulings are certainly affirming for our district, I am disheartened to say that the issue is not over. Our state senate is currently considering legislation on this very topic. Ohio Senate Bill 113, titled “Prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion in public schools,” mandates that public school districts end any current diversity and inclusion offices or departments and ban any type of DEI training.
Naturally, as a District committed to equity, including support for all our students, we are concerned about this bill and its possible implications on our current policies and practices. Additionally, there is the possibility that this bill could be worked into the state budget bill at the last minute - which on its own is a looming disaster for our schools.
Last week, I met with several Heights High School students and staff members to discuss the implications of SB 113 on their teachers, the supports and opportunities students receive, and the overall student experience here in Tiger Nation. I am proud to tell you that these students are preparing to share their stories with lawmakers through letter writing and testimony. I want to ask you to do the same.
As you consider writing letters and making calls regarding Ohio school funding, please share with lawmakers that SB 113 would have devastating effects on instruction, programming and services for all of our students -- including students of color, English learners, gifted students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities. We remain as committed as ever to our Equity Policy, which charges us in no uncertain terms to provide all students with access to educational opportunity and achievement. You can find more information and advocacy tools here.
As tired as we all are of these distractions, I know that if there is any community ready to take a stand for what is right and lawful, it’s ours. We are, and always will be, Heights United.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Liz Kirby