CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board of Education approved several fast-tracked policy changes Tuesday to comply with a new state law banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public education, drawing criticism from some board members who said the district had little choice but to act.
Earlier this summer, the General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 277, which prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public education.
It normally takes CMS School Board members a series of three meetings over the course of about six weeks to amend policies.
“In order for us to get the policy in before the school year, we had to fast-track it,” said Board member Dee Rankin.
They made several sweeping changes to be compliant with state law on Tuesday night.
“I do consider it an anti-DEI,” Rakin said.
The words “minority” and “women” were eliminated from the small business enterprise program, which is aimed at ensuring equal access to service contracts with the school district.
“A lot of our underserved businesses would be able to receive contracts in a fair manner,” Rakin said.
The terms “historically underutilized business” and “women-owned” were also deleted on the district’s “purchasing and contracts policy.”
“The public is probably going to be really upset with us,” said Board member Liz Monterrey Duval. “We have to follow these laws.”
Duval called the policy changes a waste of time and taxpayer money.
“Removing minority or removing women, that has nothing to do with children,” Monterrey Duval said.
The entire board made it clear they plan to uphold the essence of those former policies.
“The language may have to change, but the commitment to access and opportunity does not,” said Dr. Charlitta Hatch. “We can still remove unnecessary barriers.”
Channel 9 reached out to the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, which provided a statement.
MECKGOP statement:
Attendance change
A new state law also requires the CMS Board to change the district’s attendance policy.
Students with parental consent can leave campus for up to four hours once a week for religious instruction.
While the Meck GOP said that reform respects religious liberty, CMS leaders worry students could lose valuable classroom time.