In a surprise move that shocked some parents and community members, the Perris Union High School District became possibly the first in the region to cut its diversity, equity, and inclusion department. Photos: Perris Union High School District
In a surprise move that shocked some parents and community members, the Perris Union High School District became possibly the first in the region to cut its diversity, equity, and inclusion department.
The director’s job as well as behavioral support specialists, social workers, and substance intervention specialists were eliminated in the district last week.
In all, 18 jobs were cut for the 2024-2025 school year by the board of trustees during a special meeting on March 5 at 3 p.m.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (also known as DEI)
are created to address decades of discrimination aimed at people of color and LGBTQ+ staff and students.
Parents, educators, students, and concerned community members filled the board room and overflowed outside to voice their concerns about the proposed cuts in student support services, which they say will have devastating consequences on the students who need them.
“If they get rid of this program, and if they get rid of this division, there’s not going to be proper teachings to the students and their families, and administration staff and faculty, including teachers, to understand how to work with students of color and work with students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community,” Rocco Nelms, 15, a student at Perris Union School High said, according to The IE Voice.
The Perris Union High School District includes nine schools with 11,731 students enrolled, according to Ed Data’s 2022-23 census data.
What happened at the Perris Union School District board meeting reflects an ongoing issue in the U.S. .
Across the nation, far-right politicians seem intent on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. For example, in 2023, right-wing politicians introduced more than 60 bills in 24 states to limit DEI in higher education with eight becoming law.
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Steve Campos is a Perris Union school district trustee and PE teacher at the Temecula Valley Unified School District who was under investigation for unprofessional conduct toward several Temecula School District female staff members.
Campos spoke during public comment at a Temecula Valley Unified board meeting in May about the investigation. His comments start at the 01:03:45 mark. The investigation has concluded, and the findings were not made public.
Campos is frequently seen at Temecula and Murrieta school board meetings with members of the Leave Our Kids Alone Foundation, a group of “parental rights” advocates who speak out against inclusivity and LGBTQ+ education in public schools and other DEI Programs.
During the Perris Union meeting, Trustee Elizabeth Vallejo asked her fellow trustees to consider budget cuts in different areas, put students first, and listen to the support staff and educators who said the positions are necessary.
The board voted 4-1 to eliminate the positions.
Vallejo was the only no vote.
Rachel Cagwin Dennis writes about issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community in the Inland Empire.
