America First Legal is accusing Upper Arlington Schools of discrimination for the district's diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
The conservative public interest group sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights calling for an investigation of the district.
The letter, dated April 29, 2025, claims the Upper Arlington Schools district "engages in discriminatory DEI practices.鈥�
It says the district has a Chief Talent Officer whose job is to foster workforce diversity. It points to a report from UA Superintendent Robert Hunt that calls for a clear vision for DEI initiatives and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ students. The letter also references the district鈥檚 2030 strategic plan, which recommends infusing diversity and equity in the curriculum.
An Upper Arlington School District spokeswoman said the report referenced in the letter was from a third-party and mainly contained feedback from stakeholders in the community. She also said the district's strategic plan does not contain the recommendation about curriculum cited in the letter.
The America First Legal letter went on to quote guidance from the Trump administration.
鈥淒EI programs are unlawful 鈥榠f they intentionally discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in their programs or activities,鈥� it reads. 鈥淢any schools have advanced racially discriminatory policies and practices under the banner of DEI initiatives.鈥�
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Upper Arlington Schools have not responded directly to America First Legal.
In a May 5 , the district says America First Legal鈥檚 letter 鈥渁ccuses the district of 鈥榠llegal DEI policies,鈥� but fails to identify any specific practices or policies that are actually in place in the district.鈥�
Hunt said in a written response to 星空无限传媒 Wednesday that any policies in place at the district are meant to support every student.
鈥淭he district is not aware of any policy or program that violates Title VI. We are committed to supporting all of our students in the confines of the law,鈥� Hunt wrote.
The district鈥檚 original statement noted that if the U.S. Office of Civil Rights opens an investigation in response to America First Legal鈥檚 letter, Upper Arlington Schools will cooperate.
As of Wednesday, the Office of Civil Rights had not begun an investigation. There are currently against Upper Arlington Schools. Each of the cases are related to disabilities, and all of them were filed on July 5, 2023.
