Wayne Schools Had Already Scrapped DEI Policy Before Trump Took Office

WAYNE, NJ — A Wayne Schools policy that would have run afoul of one of President Donald Trump's executive orders had already been repealed because it was redundant, officials said.

Schools faced a deadline of Feb. 28 to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs or risk having their federal funding pulled by the Trump administration. At the end of the Feb. 20 meeting, board attorney John Geppert read a short statement to let the public know the district was in compliance with this specific order, having repealed Policy 5755.

The board will keep reviewing the president's executive orders and evaluating district policies, Geppert said.

"The board has no policies relating directly to DEI," he said. “We will continue to monitor the situation.”

In fact, board members voted to remove Policy Guide 5755 – Equity and Educational Programs and Services almost a year ago, at the April 2024 meeting. According to Board President Donald Pavlak, consulting company Strauss Esmay advised the district that Policy 5755 "was entirely redundant within our existing policy structure."

Policies 1523 - Comprehensive Equity Structure and 2260 - Equity in School and Classroom Practices already address the topics covered under 5755 and apply to the district as a whole, Pavlak said.

"This strategic move allows us to maintain compliance with legal and ethical standards while optimizing our operational efficiency," he said in a statement.

Policy Guide 5755 was first adopted at a 2012 meeting, according to board documents.

Pavlak had issued a clarifying statement after a TAPinto Wayne report covering Geppert's comments.