Federal probe zeroes in on school district gathering in Ithaca
The Ithaca City School District (ICSD) is currently under investigation for alleged racial discrimination at the Students of Color United Summit, an event within the district. The investigation, which started recently, has gained new momentum with the involvement of Cornell law professor William Jacobson, who is known for his stance against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and his alignment with the Trump administration's anti-DEI agenda.
Jacobson, who first filed the complaint against the Students of Color United Summit, is now calling for monetary penalties and independent oversight of ICSD's non-discrimination policies. The complaint alleges that past versions of the event excluded white students, a claim that school leaders deny, asserting that all students were invited to the 2024 summit.
The investigation, if found to be valid, could potentially jeopardize $1.7 million in federal aid primarily used to support disadvantaged students. As the investigation continues, the community awaits updates and potential resolutions.
It is important to note that the investigation into the ICSD's racial discrimination allegations is separate from recent controversies at Ithaca College and Cornell University, which involve employment discrimination and racial discrimination in faculty hiring practices, respectively.
The program for the Students of Color United Summit, according to school leaders, supports inclusivity and aims to provide a safe space for students of colour to discuss and address issues that affect them. The investigation's findings will likely have significant implications for the future of the event and the district's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity.
As the investigation progresses, further updates may require direct inquiries to the school district, local news outlets, or official government sources.
Education-and-self-development and politics are intertwined in the ongoing investigation of the Ithaca City School District (ICSD), as Cornell law professor William Jacobson, a critic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, is pressing for monetary penalties and independent oversight of the district's non-discrimination policies regarding racial discrimination allegations. General-news reporting on the investigation could potentially impact federal aid worth $1.7 million intended for disadvantaged students.
