A conservative social media account with 4.2 million followers nationally is criticizing Niskayuna Central School District’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy.
The Monday night X post from the conservative Libs of TikTok account called on the district to have its public funding cut in response to a letter sent from Niskayuna Superintendent Carl Mummenthey reinforcing the district’s commitment to its DEI policy.
The social media post noted that, in Mummenthey’s statement regarding the district’s DEI policy, the superintendent noted that the district would continue to support its DEI policy because its “woven into our DNA.”
Libs of TikTok wrote in its post, “This district should have its funding cut immediately.”
The social media account frequently targets national and local officials who express support for DEI principles.
The full passage from Mummenthey’s letter to parents explained, “Our school district’s commitment to the ideals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are woven into our DNA.”
The district’s equity in education policy, which was adopted in August 2020, notes that the district “believes that equity is a right, and it is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the district to ensure equitable experiences and outcomes for all students.”
The policy states that the district “recognizes that the current educational system, along with complex, societal, racial and historical factors create and perpetuate barriers to access and opportunities within the system.”
The Trump administration issued an executive order on Jan. 20 deeming federal DEI initiatives “illegal and immoral discrimination programs,” with the order giving the federal Office of Management and Budget the authorization to eliminate federal government DEI programs.
The administration has also lifted restrictions that previously barred Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection from arresting migrants at sensitive locations, including churches and schools.
In response to a question regarding the Libs of TikTok post, Mummenthey noted that the school district would continue to comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
CBS6 News was the first news outlet to report on the social media post.
“Even as we comply with the rule of law, we will remain committed to ensuring that our students, their families, and our staff feel safe, valued, and respected in our schools,” Mummenthey noted in a statement on Tuesday. “Our district sees this as a fundamental commitment to human rights and the unfettered right to a public education in New York State.”
Mummenthey dispatched a letter to district residents earlier this month noting that a child’s immigration status does not affect their right to receive a public education.
“My office has provided clear guidance to our building principals and our dedicated faculty and staff about our students’ rights and protections in the event that immigration enforcement officers visit our schools,” Mummenthey wrote. “We will always work to ensure that Niskayuna students are afforded the protections they’re entitled to through federal and state laws and regulations.”
The Niskayuna district adopted a strategic plan in 2021 that focuses on four major areas — bias response and an inclusive and welcoming school climate, professional learning, inclusive and anti-racist curriculum and instruction and anti-bias recruitment, hiring and retention practices.
The district has also formed a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee to examine district data and to provide input into the district’s professional learning practices.
“While the political rhetoric on DEIB has intensified, we as a school community are as committed to this important work today as we’ve ever been,” Mummenthey noted in his letter to the community. “Every child will be welcomed, supported, respected and celebrated in our Niskayuna schools.”
