Eugene School District 4J joins lawsuit against federal racial discrimination guidelines

Eugene School District 4J has joined a federal lawsuit to block new guidance from the Trump administration that critics argue undermines diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in education. This lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, includes the American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association as co-plaintiffs. The February 14 'Dear Colleague' letter issued by the Department of Education threatens to cut federal funding for schools that do not eliminate race-based considerations in decision-making processes, a move that the district claims could destabilize funding and disrupt educational programs. 4J school board chair Jenny Jonak emphasized that the guidance could hinder the district's ability to provide culturally responsive and historically accurate education. The district, which receives over $3.4 million in federal funding annually, is being represented pro bono by the nonprofit organization Democracy Forward. This action is seen as crucial for maintaining programs that support vulnerable student populations.