VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Beach School Board adopted a resolution Tuesday night to suspend DEI initiatives in school division programs and curriculums.

The vote comes after the Trump administration’s executive order on Jan. 29 to cut federal education funding for schools who refuse to drop diversity, equity and inclusion programs. On April 3, K-12 schools throughout the country received a notice stating they had just 10 days to certify that they will comply with the executive order.

It’s a decision that is dividing staffers, students and parents.

The resolution passed states that it is “to comply with legal obligations in exchange for receiving federal financial assistance.” In the meeting, School Board Chairwoman Kathleen J. Brown said VBCPS gets $74,285,975 in federal funding.

Following the order, many schools divisions had questions as to how this would affect student clubs, planned activities and tutoring opportunities.

“If we suspend this policy, how would that impact the curriculum? I’m thinking along with clubs as well as a parent with a student [at the Global Studies and World Languages Academy at Tallwood High School]. They have upcoming events that celebrate cross-cultural awareness, celebrate diversity,” said District 7 School Board member Matt W. Cummings.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Superintendent Don Robertson said he feels a great deal of anxiety around the term “suspension” when it comes to the concerns.

“When I put my name on this document, I just put my name on the line to be fired,” Robertson said. “Because as soon as something gets reported and it comes back that we’re investigating Virginia Beach City Public Schools because of something in this document, the superintendent is going to be fired with cause. There’s great concern among the superintendents of Virginia to putting their name on this document. I will do what’s required by the School Board.”

School divisions initially had until April 11 to make a decision to meet the certification deadline, but that deadline has been extended until April 24.

“I’m very disappointed that we did not let the public have input,” Cummings said. “We did take an oath, and that oath also involved listening to our constituents, regardless of whether we agree or disagree.”

The resolution was adopted in a 6-3 vote.

“It’s a gut punch, honestly,” said Elizabeth Schur, a former VBCPS teacher. “I worked with a lot of the students that would be directly impacted by this. And it’s not only the suspension of DEI, it is how the board did it, basically trying to hide it from public view, steamroll it even through other members of the board.”

10 On Your Side went Ocean Lakes High School to talk to students. One noted that adults are making decisions that are impacting students without students having a say. 

“I wish we knew more about it and that we could have a say on it,” said sophomore Jackson Kane. “I mean, because it affects us — like it does affect them, but I feel like it affects us more because we’re in the school.”

In a statement from Virginia Beach City Public Schools, it said that “at last night’s meeting, the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach directed the superintendent via a resolution vote to comply with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14190 and the legal requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by April 24. The resolution is attached. Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. and his senior leadership team are now working to meet the School Board’s directive.”

In the resolution it states the school board will direct the superintendent to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Office of Opportunity and Achievement. 

The resolution can be viewed below: