‘DEI’ resolution fails after USBE members’ disagree on language

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A motion by the Utah State School Board that sought to remove remaining Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Utah schools has failed after members of the board couldn’t come to an agreement on the resolution’s language and effects.

Voting 4 to 10, members of the board had expressed concerns regarding the resolution’s impact on existing programs and the language used within the resolution.

The board reported during the meeting that several members had received “hundreds” of emails regarding the resolution, including concerns over how the resolution would affect programs like Latinos in Action and special needs programs.

“I think we have overwhelmingly heard from those that care deeply across the state about programs that are impacted and targeted by this language,” Sarah Reale (D – District 5), member of the Utah School Board. “Do we believe there is a space or language that would actually be acceptable and be something that the public would approve of? To me, we already have a law in place. We don’t need this resolution, there are better things we can be working on right now.”

The resolution, sponsored by Christina Boggess (R – District 8), sought to be an enforcement resolution for laws that were passed by the State Legislature in the 2024 General Session. It used language saying DEI was “attempting to achieve the Soviet Communist goal of actual equality,” and used “ethnic minorities” to advance communism in society.

“I am sure that I will offend some of you. However, this resolution is nonsense,” Jeanetta Williams, President of the Salt Lake Branch NAACP, said in a letter addressed to the school board. “American DEI grew from US domestic politics, not soviet thinking. Passing the resolution with the Soviet reference would be an embarrassment to the State of Utah.”

The letter penned by Williams also expressed concerns over the vagueness of the resolution. Saying that it had not listed specific programs, thus the resolution could confuse local school districts in their application of the resolution.

In an amended version of the resolution, shown at the board meeting, language was added to affirm individual rights and to clarify that the resolution wouldn’t affect special education programs.

After the motion failed, several measures followed to postpone the measure to next month’s meeting, or to postpone voting on the measure indefinitely. Both motions failed. A further measure to send a response to those who had contacted the board regarding the measure failed as well.

The meeting moved to lunch and the measure was not revisited. It is currently unclear whether the board will return to the issue. In speaking with a representative of the board, ABC4.com was told that “significant changes” would have to be made to the resolution to be heard again by the board. Otherwise, the board would have to vote to reconsider their action in a future meeting.