$300 Million at Stake: Palm Beach Schools May Scrap DEI Policies Overnight

A major shift could be coming to Palm Beach County schools, and it may impact how your children experience their education. The School District of Palm Beach County is considering an emergency policy that would roll back several long-standing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Why? The federal government has raised concerns that certain DEI practices may violate civil rights laws—putting about $300 million in federal funding for local schools at risk. With a vote expected tonight, parents, educators, and community members are watching closely.

Here’s what’s happening, why it’s important, and what it could mean for your family.

Why the Sudden Push to End DEI Programs?

Recently, the U.S. Department of Education sent a strong message: school districts that use race or ethnicity as a factor in hiring, student services, or contracts may be in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. That law prohibits discrimination in any program receiving federal funds.

Palm Beach County’s school leaders say they can’t take the chance of losing hundreds of millions in funding. That money supports essential services for students—especially those in need. Without it, programs that provide meals, reading support, help for students with disabilities, and other critical resources could face major cuts.

“We’re being put in a very difficult position,” said Superintendent Mike Burke. “This is about protecting our ability to serve all students.”

What Specific Programs Are Being Cut?

If the school board votes yes, the following changes will happen immediately:

• Diversity hiring goals will be removed. The district will no longer aim to recruit or retain staff based on race, gender, or ethnicity.

• The Women and Minority Business Enterprise (W/MBE) program will end. This program tracked how many school contracts were awarded to women- and minority-owned businesses.

• The majority-to-minority transfer option will be eliminated. This rule let students transfer to schools where they’d be part of a racial or ethnic minority—originally designed to help balance school demographics and reduce segregation.

All of these changes are being made not because the district no longer values diversity, but because officials say they are being forced to choose between continuing these programs and maintaining vital federal funding.

What Could This Mean for You and Your Child?

For some families, especially those in communities of color, this decision may feel like a step backward. Programs that focused on representation and equity helped ensure that students saw themselves reflected in their teachers, curriculum, and opportunities.

But school leaders stress that removing these DEI-specific policies doesn’t mean the district will stop promoting fairness or inclusion. Instead, they say the district will find new ways to serve all students—just without programs that could trigger legal scrutiny or funding cuts.

If your child has benefited from support programs tied to diversity, school officials say they are working to ensure those services won’t disappear overnight. But how they’re delivered may change.

What Comes Next?

The school board is scheduled to vote on the emergency policy tonight. If it passes, the changes will take effect immediately. The district says it will continue to look for legal guidance to ensure any future programs comply with federal rules while still promoting fairness and access.

For now, families can expect more communication from schools in the coming weeks. Teachers, principals, and staff will be working to help students and parents understand what’s changing—and what isn’t.

Bottom Line

This is a moment of major transition for Palm Beach County schools. The district is trying to protect essential funding while navigating complex legal guidance. While the decision may be controversial, district leaders say their priority remains the same: making sure every child in Palm Beach County gets the education they deserve.

Stay informed, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s administrators if you have concerns. Your voice still matters in shaping what comes next.