Still Not Signing: One Superintendent's Stand for Equity and Truth
Still Not Signing: One Superintendent's Stand for Equity and Truth
Sometimes courage doesn't come with a microphone or a camera crew—it arrives in a quiet letter with a roaring conscience. In response to the Trump administration's 10-day ultimatum to gut equity programs in public schools, one superintendent replied with clarity, defiance, and deep moral conviction. Read the full letter here.
What Happened
On April 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education issued a directive to public school districts nationwide, demanding they sign a "certification" within ten days asserting they were not violating civil rights law—by providing support for students affected by systemic inequities.
In response, a public school superintendent—whose name is being withheld for safety and political reasons—refused to comply. Their letter dismantled the directive's bad-faith logic, defended equity as a moral and legal imperative, and reminded the federal government that education is not a political performance.
Why It Resonates
This is more than a bureaucratic dispute—it's a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle to uphold truth in public education. The superintendent's response cuts through distortion with precision:
- Equity is not discrimination—it's how we make education work for all.
- Recognizing need is not favoritism—it's what allows students with disabilities, language barriers, or historical disadvantages to learn alongside their peers.
- Teaching the truth is not indoctrination—it's education doing its job.
The letter doesn't just defend policy—it defends people. It names the children who benefit from IEPs, ESL programs, bilingual support, and culturally responsive teaching, and it does so without apology.
A Closer Look
What makes this letter extraordinary is its refusal to retreat into euphemism. It calls out the cynical inversion of civil rights language. It questions the logic of "neutrality" that erases real needs. It exposes the absurdity of pretending that ignoring race, disability, or language makes a system more fair.
And it issues a challenge: Will we fold for convenience—or stand for kids?
There's no grandstanding here—just deep, practiced integrity. It's the kind of leadership we need more of: clear-eyed, grounded, and unafraid to say no when no is the only ethical answer.
Signal Boost
This letter is a signal that public servants still exist who will not trade kids' futures for political theater.
It's a signal that truth-telling has a place in public institutions.
It's a signal that leadership means protecting the vulnerable, not appeasing the powerful.
This superintendent may remain unnamed—but their stance is unforgettable. And it echoes what so many educators, parents, and students believe: That schools should be sanctuaries of care, not battlegrounds for compliance.
Call to Action
Let this be a reminder: silence is not the only option. When injustice shows up in official letterhead, it still deserves to be answered. Share this letter. Stand with educators who stand for truth. And speak up—for the students who can't afford to be erased.
Original source: Still Not Signing: A Superintendent's Response to the Department of Education's Anti-DEI Ultimatum