Photo: CBS 12
A directive from the Trump administration to public school districts is partially blocked.
New Hampshire Federal Judge Landya McCafferty, an Obama appointee, has ruled that threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that continue with DEI initiatives erodes the "foundational principles" that separate the U.S. from totalitarian regimes.
One Palm Beach County School Board member may tend to agree with her.
"I'm going across the country and I'm seeing board members and teachers and principals and superintendents scared out of their pants, because we have the children leading the adults. And my children don't rule my house. I, as the adult, rule my house."
As we reported, Edwin Ferguson was the only "no" vote Wednesday night when the School Board reversed ten policies that involved Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for fear of losing $300 million in funding.
"We should let them do it and see what happens. I promise they'll flip flop just like all of these silly tariffs that are implemented one day and then flipped off the next. It's the exact same thing. You know who you're dealing with."
You can watch the voting and Ferguson's comments at the 3 hour mark in the video below:
Ferguson also questioned another member who had said she wasn't voting "in fear. That was Gloria Branch, whose father Art Johnson is a former Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent.
(Ferguson): "Board member Branch, you say you're not voting in fear. Let me ask you this question, do you think this is good for us to redact from our policies?"
(Branch): "Yes."
(Ferguson): "That's unfortunate. So you and I, in this regard, are on opposite ends of the spectrum."
(Branch): "That's Okay."
(Ferguson): "I know it's okay because it's what it's gonna be."
He likened the leaders in Washington to those in Tallahassee, whom Ferguson called "a bunch of scared children being bullies."
The administration wants DEI initiatives removed because they violate civil rights laws.
The Palm Beach County School Board's votes are temporary. There will be a 90-day public listening period, followed by another vote to make last night's changes permanent.