News Summary
The Greenville County School Board voted to replace its DEI policy with a focus on equal opportunity and fair treatment, amid concerns over funding and inclusivity.
Greenville – The Greenville County School Board voted 6-1 on June 10, 2025, to rename its “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” (DEI) policy to “Equal Opportunity and Fair Treatment.” This change is significant as it removes all references to DEI and reflects a shift in approach to education equity. In order for the changes to take effect, they must pass a second vote scheduled for June 24.
The vote came amid ongoing discussions about inclusivity and educational practices within the district. One of the major revisions includes removing a line that fosters an inclusive environment. Instead, the new statement asserts that “Racism and discrimination have no place in Greenville County Schools.” Additionally, specified references to race, sex, gender, or disability will be eliminated, emphasizing that equitable education is critical for students of “any characteristic.”
Attendance during the meeting revealed that five of the twelve board members were absent when the vote was cast. The only dissenting vote came from Glenda Morrison-Fair, who raised concerns over the proposal, mentioning that there were no significant public complaints regarding the existing DEI policy. Her apprehensions highlighted suspicions that changes might be made more out of fear of repercussions than a real need for alteration.
Board member Jeff Cochran championed the policy review, illustrating his worries about potential risks associated with federal funding if the DEI policy remained unchanged. A letter from the U.S. Department of Education had expressed the intention to withdraw funding from institutions that continue to uphold DEI policies, claiming these policies discriminate against white and Asian students. This situation has motivated some school officials to reconsider their stance on educational equity measures.
The changing landscape of educational policies is also influenced by legislative movements within the state. Recently, the South Carolina House of Representatives passed the “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity Act,” which would ban the promotion of DEI in state offices and schools. Although it has not yet been approved by the Senate, this legislative trend adds pressure to school districts regarding how they approach issues of equity and inclusion.
Cochran asserted that the current DEI policy attracts scrutiny that could jeopardize federal funding and grants, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by District 55 in Laurens County. He depicted the policy changes as aligning with both state and federal anti-discrimination protocols, an attribute that certain members of the board believe is essential as educational practices evolve.
The revisions to the policy also include the removal of phrases such as “social-emotional well-being” and “bias.” The approach to teaching will pivot from “culturally responsive” strategies to “individually responsive” techniques, a change the board believes will continue to accommodate the diverse needs of students from different backgrounds.
The overarching aim of these proposed changes is to ensure that education remains equitable across all demographics. However, critics of the alterations suggest that the revisions may inadvertently endorse discriminatory practices and dismantle initiatives aimed at promoting diversity within education. Current statistics indicate that just 13% of the Greenville County public school faculty are people of color, contrasting sharply with a student demographic comprising 48% White, 23% Hispanic, 22% Black, and 8% identified as other.
This move to change the DEI policy follows its establishment in May 2021 in response to widespread protests and demands for racial equity following the death of George Floyd. A community diversity team was formed to guide the superintendent on equitable education matters, expressing significant concern over the proposed alterations to the DEI policy.
Morrison-Fair emphasized the importance of maintaining the existing policy, noting that it was functioning well and that it had not generated complaints from the community. She warned against making changes based solely on apprehension regarding state or federal oversight.
The final decision on the policy changes will be made at the next school board meeting, providing an opportunity for further discussion and input from board members and the community. As Greenville County School Board navigates these changes, the implications for student equity and representation remain a pivotal point of discussion.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: Greenville County School Board DEI Policy Changes
- Wikipedia: Equity
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Schools DEI Policy Revision
- Google Search: Greenville County School Board
- Spectrum Local News: Greenville Schools New Policy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Diversity
- Post and Courier: Greenville Schools DEI Scrub
- Google News: Greenville County Schools
- Greenville Journal: Meet the Candidates for School Board
