Lee County Schools to end diversity office

Lee County Schools has announced plans to eliminate its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office.

The district is reviewing an executive order issued by President Donald Trump and has stated that it will assess and adjust policies accordingly.

A spokesperson for the school district confirmed that anti-discrimination policies based on federal and state laws will remain in force, pending board approval of the office’s elimination.

Gwyn Gittens, a former Lee County School Board member and the first minority elected to the board in 132 years, emphasized the importance of the DEI office. She said the office provided crucial information and training to school staff to ensure every student receives a quality education.

“How can you teach a child if you don’t understand their background, their culture?” Gittens said.

Gittens, who served on the board from 2018 to 2022, highlighted the significance of the DEI office in addressing racial and socio-economic inequities. She noted that the office organized well-attended weekly meetings and trainings.

“It was fabulous. I know at one point they had once a week, lunchtime meetings and trainings, and they were very well attended. And a lot of people said, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that.’ So, if we don’t teach you how to deal with a certain child, how do you know you don’t treat children the same? You can’t,” said Gittens.

The DEI office was created in 2018 to address inequities within the diverse district.

The district’s enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year reflects significant differences in color, culture and language.

“There’s an imbalance that’s becoming much and much more imbalanced. Rather than looking at everybody in every culture and trying to make it work, instead, we’re looking less and less at that 47 and 13%,” Gittens said.

In alignment with federal guidelines, the district plans to reassign Jarrett Eady. His position will change from Director of Diversity and Inclusion to Director of Continuous Improvement, pending board approval.

A district spokesperson explained that the new position will support the district’s strategic plan.