JACKSON, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Jackson Public Schools repealed its Equity Policy that it passed less than eight months ago for fear it would jeopardize as much as $8.5 million in federal funding due to President Donald Trump’s executive order that banned diversity, equity and inclusive (DEI) policies in academia.

The district has already made some changes because of the Trump administration’s stance on DEI. In October 2023, the school district hired Kelly Crum as the director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Curriculum. The district’s website now has her title as director of School Climate and Curriculum.

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The district voted 6-1 on Tuesday to end the policy at the advice of its legal counsel.

“The winds on this, since you adopted this in October 2024, have changed,” the district’s attorney Brendon Beer told the school board during the meeting.

The district risked up to $4 million in federal grants and then up to $4.5 million in federal funding dedicated to food services.

Some of the council members were unsure if the Equity Policy would cause federal funding to be withheld. The vote on June 17 was out of caution.

“Until there is settled law or a court case, it is all uncertain,” Marcus Leon, assistant superintendent finance and operations, told the school board at the meeting.

Beer said that it wasn’t just Trump’s executive order, but other federal agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had also come out with statements that suggested the district’s policy could lead to discrimination lawsuits.

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Beer referenced a document put out by the EEOC with the headline: “What To Do If You Experience Discrimination Related To DEI At Work”. The EEOC document states that DEI training “may give rise to a colorable hostile work environment claim.”