News Summary
The Greenville County School Board voted to remove DEI terms from its policy, sparking concerns over potential discrimination.
Greenville, SC – School Board Removes DEI Language from Policy
On June 10, 2025, the Greenville County School Board voted 6-1 to remove the terms “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” from its DEI policy. This decision aligns with recent national trends and state policies favoring revisions to anti-discrimination frameworks.
The board member Glenda Morrison-Fair cast the only dissenting vote against the proposal. Following the changes, the current DEI policy will be renamed “Equal Opportunity and Fair Treatment.” The revision will exclude the phrase, “The District will foster an inclusive, welcoming environment that respects the differences of all students and employees.”
Concerns Over Discrimination
While supporters of the change cited concerns regarding federal scrutiny and personal beliefs, critics argue that the removal of DEI terminology may itself be discriminatory. Many believe that the elimination of these terms could undermine the progress made towards fostering a culturally responsive educational environment.
The Greenville County School District, the largest in South Carolina, serves nearly 80,000 students but currently does not have a DEI officer or a dedicated diversity department. Previously, under the existing DEI policy implemented in May 2021, particularly in response to nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd, the district had utilized an evaluation rubric and continuous improvement plan, which these revisions will also eliminate.
Context of Recent Changes
Jeff Cochran, a board member, proposed the modifications citing a need to address conflicts with personal beliefs and fears regarding loss of federal grants during increasing scrutiny from federal education authorities. A letter from the U.S. Department of Education sent on February 14 prohibits the use of race in decision-making for federally funded educational institutions. Following this, a federal probe into Clemson University attracted attention after the institution was criticized for its pro-diversity stance.
Despite the federal court later blocking the enforcement of restrictions on DEI practices, K-12 schools were directed to certify the discontinuation of DEI initiatives. The Greenville board’s forthcoming vote on policy changes is set to finalize on June 27, 2025.
Projected Impacts on the District
The proposed policy modifications will also eliminate references to “social-emotional well-being” and “bias” from the framework. The term “culturally responsive” teaching will be replaced with “individually responsive” teaching, marking a significant shift in how educators are expected to interact with their students. The revised approach will emphasize “equal opportunity and fair treatment” instead of “equity, opportunity, and fair treatment.”
The district struggles with having a diverse workforce, with only 13% of public school faculty being people of color, while the student population comprises 48% White, 23% Hispanic, and 22% Black. Studies demonstrate that students often perform better academically when taught by teachers of the same race, highlighting the importance of diversity within the teaching staff.
Community and Historical Context
In 2023, a community diversity team formed to guide the district on creating an equitable education system submitted recommendations aimed at addressing hiring practices and closing achievement gaps among students. Nonetheless, Morrison-Fair noted that discussions with community members have not raised any concerns regarding the existing DEI policy. A recent board meeting, which saw limited attendance, included votes from Cochran, Ann Marie Middleton, Carolyn Styles, Amanda Brett, Sarah Dulin, and Angie Mosley in support of the revisions, with some board members absent from the session.
As the district prepares for the upcoming vote on the proposed changes, the implications of removing DEI language from its policies will continue to be a topic of discussion among educators, parents, and community members alike.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Greenville Schools Scrub DEI
- Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Schools DEI Policy Revision
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Equality
- Greenville Online: School Board Candidate Whaley Seeks District 21 Seat
- Google Search: Greenville School Board
