Following The Law

Newfound Certifies DEI Compliance

BRISTOL — As some New Hampshire school districts push back against federal “compliance” forms targeting “illegal DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] practices”, School Administrative Unit 4 Superintendent Paul Hoiriis says it was never an issue for the Newfound Area School District.

“I honestly believe I’m not using any DEI to discriminate against anybody,” Hoiriis told the Newfound Area School Board on April 14.

The Trump Administration has threatened to eliminate federal funding to school districts that give special consideration to women and minorities when hiring their personnel. Federal grants already contain anti-discrimination provisions that must be met in accepting the money, but extending those requirements to schools that may want to attract a more diverse workforce has created a backlash. The American Civil Liberties Union is being joined by Dover, Hanover, Oyster River, Portsmouth, and Somersworth in challenging the directive.

Part of the complaint is that what constitutes diversity, equity, and inclusion is not always clear. Federal agencies are removing references to women and people of color on historical narratives and websites honoring those who have contributed to the nation’s freedom and prosperity. States such as Florida have rewritten school curricula to emphasize the advantages of slavery without acknowledging its abuses.

The federal compliance forms are due April 24, but the New Hampshire Department of Education asked for them to be submitted to the state by the 10th. It later extended that deadline to April 17.

More than 130 school districts complied with the request, and Newfound joined them this week.