Trump Administration Launches Investigation Into Illinois School District Over Allegations of Racial Segregation Practices

The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education has initiated an investigation concerning the Evanston-Skokie School District 65 in Illinois. This action follows allegations made by a teacher regarding racial segregation practices within the district.

The Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) filed a complaint on behalf of Dr. Stacy Deemar, a teacher at the district. The official complaint asserts that the district is violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by implementing activities like ‘privilege walks’ and other racially charged practices in its educational settings.

Serious Allegations of Racial Practices

Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor articulated the gravity of the situation. He remarked, “The policies and practices to which the District allegedly subjects students and teachers shocks the conscience. Amid a dismal academic achievement record, the District appears to focus on unlawfully segregating students by race, instructing students to step forward and others to step back on the basis of race, and associating ‘Whiteness’ with the devil. If true, how is this conceivable in America today?” This statement was issued in a press release on May 1 by the Trump Administration’s Education Department.

Background of Investigation

This is not the first time the Evanston-Skokie School District has faced scrutiny for its practices. Under the previous Trump administration, the Department of Education had previously pursued the district for similar violations of Title VI. However, this investigation was shelved by the Biden administration, which altered the course of the initial inquiry.

Dr. Deemar’s complaint accuses the district of enforcing ‘antiracist training’ and employing ‘race-based programming’ in its curriculum, raising concerns about potential bias and unfair treatment of students.

Reactions From Key Stakeholders

Trainor expressed the sentiment that the American populace has had enough of these practices, stating, “After four long years of the Biden Administration’s tolerance for this kind of conduct, the American people returned President Trump to office to end this madness and enforce Title VI. This Department of Education will not allow districts that receive federal funding to become safe spaces for racial segregation or any other unlawful discriminatory practices.” Trainor emphasized the urgency and necessity of this investigation.

Kimberly Hermann, the Executive Director of the Southeastern Legal Foundation, also weighed in on the issue, expressing gratitude that the Trump Administration is taking these allegations seriously. She stated, “SLF is thankful that the Trump Administration recognizes that enough is enough and, following Dr. Deemar’s new OCR complaint, has launched an investigation into unconscionable racial discrimination in District 65 – Evanston, IL.”

Biden Administration’s Previous Actions

Hermann further noted the withdrawal of the original litigation by the Biden administration. She remarked on the adverse impacts this has had on the district’s policies, saying, “Ever since the wrongful withdrawal four years ago of the Department of Education’s finding that District 65’s racial segregation, equity training, discipline policy, and other racially discriminatory policies violated America’s civil rights laws, Dr. Deemar has waited patiently for the harms inflicted by the Biden Administration to be rectified.”

The call for a reassessment of the district’s policies is clear, with Hermann urging that the time for restoration of equality and civil liberties is now for the sake of both children and the nation.

District’s Response to Allegations

Evanston-Skokie School District 65 has not yet provided an official response to inquiries from media outlets regarding the complaint. However, a spokesperson did relay a statement to ABC7 Chicago. It emphasized the district’s commitment to diversity and equity.

The statement read, “We are a diverse school district committed to equity and to ensuring that every child gets what they need and deserve to reach their full potential. It remains our responsibility to meet every child where they are and to ensure continued growth.”

It went further to assert the district’s legal and ethical obligations, stating, “The District will continue to fulfill the intent and promise of equal protection and nondiscrimination embodied in the Constitution and our nation’s civil rights laws. The complaint misrepresents our District’s lawful and important professional learning and student-focused initiatives that are designed to advance the work of ensuring that ALL students have access and opportunity to a robust, high quality education.”

A Commitment to a Just Resolution

In light of the ongoing investigation, the district remains committed to cooperating fully with the Office for Civil Rights. The spokesperson affirms, “The District will fully comply with the OCR investigation to help ensure a just and expeditious resolution.” This commitment underscores the seriousness with which the district intends to address the concerns raised regarding educational fairness and equity.

The ongoing investigation into Evanston-Skokie School District 65 raises critical questions about educational practices and civil rights. As the situation unfolds, the implications of these allegations will likely attract significant public attention and provoke further discussions about race, education, and equality within the schooling system.