Broward Schools End Partnership with Latinos in Action Program
Introduction to the Issue
Broward schools have severed ties with the youth leadership program Latinos in Action, fearing a continued partnership could jeopardize $30 million in federal dollars. The contract for the program, which included both elective classes and after-school clubs in high schools, will terminate on Dec. 31, following action taken by the School Board at a Nov. 18 meeting. The termination comes despite pleas by students, advocates and some local members of Congress to fight for the program.
Reason for Termination
The board’s reason for termination stemmed from a letter Superintendent Howard Hepburn received Sept. 24 from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. The letter alleged that Latinos in Action violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. A major issue cited was an answer that had been included in a frequently asked questions section of the national group’s website. The question was whether the program was open to all students. The response was, “80% of the class must be Latino. 20% of students may be from any other racial/ethnic background,” which the federal government said is “prohibited racial balancing.”
Impact of the Decision
That language, which had been removed from the website by late September, was not included in the school district’s contract with Latinos in Action. Still, the federal department threatened to withhold $30 million in Broward County magnet funding if the district didn’t discontinue the partnership. Several other school districts in Florida received similar letters, although U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said during a news conference last month that similar letters were not sent to districts in other states that have Latinos in Action chapters.
Wasserman-Schultz led an effort of Democratic members of Congress to urge the Department of Education to reconsider, saying the program doesn’t discriminate. But school district officials say they got no indication the Trump administration would budge.
School Board Vote and Reactions
The School Board’s vote to terminate was 6-3. Some board members praised the program, saying it has helped many foreign-born students acclimate to school and has helped students with their academic, social and leadership skills. “This has been a tremendous program for our students. It is really disturbing that this is happening now, and it is harmful to students to get rid of this program,” Board Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi, one of the three no votes, said during the meeting.
Concerns and Clarifications
Board member Adam Cervera said he liked what the organization did but didn’t support the 80-20 provision that had been listed on the organization’s website. “What’s extremely disturbing to me is when we attempted to reach out to the corporate office or the corporate headquarters of Latinos In Action for clarification and to see if they would fix this issue, we didn’t get a response,” Cervera said. Cervera said he supported terminating the contract, “not because I was not a fan of the program or I don’t think there was value in the program. I will not allow this district to partake in or to engage with any company, any vendor who is breaking the law or is not following federal code.”
Response from Latinos in Action
Jose Enriquez, CEO and founder of Latinos In Action, sent a letter to the School Board on Nov. 25 disputing Cervera’s assertions. He wrote that his organization had communicated with Hepburn by phone and in writing several times to address the concerns. Enriquez wrote Latinos in Action “has never required or mandated a racial quota,” and that district leadership “confirmed in an email chain that students were not restricted from participating in this course.” “Despite these efforts, BCPS ended our contract without providing (Latinos in Action) an opportunity to discuss, address, or resolve the Department of Education’s concerns,” Enriquez wrote. “The statements made during the Special Board Meeting regarding racial quota requirements and a lack of communication from LIA were inaccurate and misinformed. We believe it is important to correct the record promptly and transparently.”
Conclusion
The decision to end the partnership with Latinos in Action has significant implications for the students and the community. While the program has been beneficial for many, the threat of losing federal funding has led the school district to prioritize financial stability over the program’s continuation. The controversy surrounding the program’s alleged violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has sparked a debate about discrimination and equal access to educational programs.
FAQs
- Q: Why did Broward schools end their partnership with Latinos in Action?
A: The partnership was ended due to a threat from the U.S. Department of Education to withhold $30 million in funding over allegations that the program violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. - Q: What was the alleged violation?
A: The alleged violation was based on a statement on the program’s website indicating that 80% of the class must be Latino and 20% could be from any other racial/ethnic background, which the federal government considered “prohibited racial balancing.” - Q: Did the school district support the program?
A: Yes, many members of the school board and the community supported the program, citing its benefits for foreign-born students and its role in promoting academic, social, and leadership skills. - Q: What was the final vote on terminating the contract?
A: The vote to terminate the contract was 6-3. - Q: How has the program’s founder responded to the allegations?
A: The founder, Jose Enriquez, has disputed the allegations, stating that the program never required or mandated a racial quota and that the district’s statements about a lack of communication were inaccurate.
