Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is urging Louisiana K-12 schools to comply with guidance from President Donald Trump’s administration as it threatens to revoke federal funding from campuses that use race-conscious practices in admissions, programming, training, hiring, scholarships and other aspects of student life.
The new federal guidelines came in the form of a non-legally binding “dear colleagues” letter Acting Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education for Civil Rights Craig Trainor sent to schools last week. The letter advised K-12 schools, colleges and universities to comply by Feb. 28 or risk losing federal funding.
It’s the latest example of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures.
Brumley, a conservative Republican, endorsed the administration’s guidance in a letter he sent to Louisiana K-12 system leaders Wednesday. Read the full letter below.
“The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) agrees with [federal] guidance and belief that ‘[d]iscrimination [under any banner] on the basis of race, color, or national origin is illegal and morally reprehensible,’” Brumley wrote. “Furthermore, LDOE commends Governor Landry for his proactive Executive Order as well as his unwavering support of LDOE’s work to stop inherently divisive concepts, like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), from infiltrating Louisiana’s K-12 public education system.”
Gov. Jeff Landry, who is ideologically aligned with Brumley and Trump, issued an executive order last year prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory in K-12 schools. Critical race theory (CRT) is an advanced academic concept that holds that race is socially constructed, and it examines how legal structures are used to oppress people of color. Most classes that take the theory into consideration are in graduate programs at the university level. There is no evidence these courses are being taught to children and teenagers in Louisiana.
The Trump administration’s letter is predicated on a very broad interpretation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in 2023, which prohibited the use of affirmative action in admissions. While that decision was limited to admissions, conservatives have favored a sweeping interpretation that applies the prohibition to other aspects of student life.
In his letter, Brumley advises schools to review programs, initiatives, awards and other items to ensure compliance with Trainor’s guidance.
Several Louisiana K-12 public schools engage in diversity, inclusion and equity practices, according to a report the Louisiana Department of Education submitted to the Legislature. However, separate reports from Louisiana’s four higher education systems showed minimal spending on DEI.
The resolution requires LSU to conduct a comprehensive review of all of its “programs and bureaucracies” in which classifications are maintained based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, political views or national origin. Any programs found to confer “any preferential treatment in violation of the rule of law outlined by the supreme court in SFA v. Harvard” will be eliminated, according to the resolution.
The board is expected to take action on this review at its meeting Friday, LSU President William Tate told state legislators at a House Education Committee meeting last week.
Janene Tate, spokeswoman for the Southern University System, the nation’s only system of historically Black colleges and universities, said in a statement the system is confident its current practices are “constitutional and legal.”
Other colleges and universities contacted for this report are taking a slower approach.
“I have seen a lot of expressions of angst… regarding the letter, but it really doesn’t apply to any of the efforts we have underway at Louisiana Tech,” university President Jim Henderson said “It does not affect us.”
“That doesn’t mean there won’t be further guidance that won’t be more restrictive, but it’s not in the four corners of that dear colleagues letter,” Henderson said.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette “is analyzing the potential impact” of the federal guidance, spokesman Eric Maron said in a statement, adding it’s premature to comment on any specific required changes.
Southeastern Louisiana University is reviewing the letter and awaiting legal guidance, spokesman Mike Rivault said in a statement.
Rick Gallot, president of the University of Louisiana System, did not respond to multiple calls requesting comment for this report.
Chandler LeBeouf, spokesman for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, said its schools “will remain adaptable to the evolving higher education landscape while ensuring that all Louisianans have the opportunity to pursue education and training in a learning environment that leads to meaningful careers.”
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
SUMMARY: Jefferson Parish is seeking increased control over Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) following significant flooding during Hurricane Francine, attributed in part to pump failures at the airport. The Jefferson Parish Council passed a resolution requesting a joint meeting with aviation officials, aiming for greater representation on the airport’s governing board to enhance safety and collaboration for future hurricane preparedness. While airport director Kevin Dolio acknowledged past issues, he indicated they have been resolved and that airport-related failures accounted for only 2% of the flooding. Council member Arita Bohannan advocates for Jefferson Parish’s interests on the board to better protect residents.
Amelia Strahan explains why council members want a bigger presence on the airport’s governing board.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Emilee Calametti | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-09 13:28:00
(The Center Square) — Despite the council being under heat for unapproved spending by city attorneys, many ordinances were adopted in this week’s regular session to amend budgets and allocate funds for specific city projects.
The council adopted an ordinance amending the 2025 Streets and Drainage fund budget. This ordinance increased the budget by $75,000 for increased spending on unplanned street and drainage projects.
An ordinance to appropriate $42,558 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund was adopted. The funds are being used to perform a pilot project at the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The total contract for the Brownlee Road rehabilitation project is now estimated at $1.3 million after the council passed an ordinance that approved a report of change order. The increase totaled $212,000.
Two ordinances were adopted, amending the 2025 Water Fund Budget and the 2025 Sewer Fund Budget. An additional $6,000 is needed from the Water Fund Budget and an additional $5,000 from the Sewer Fund Budget.
The last item on old business was an ordinance to amend the 2024 State and State and Federal Grants Fund, Diversion Program Fund and Riverboat Gaming Trust Fund budgets. The amendments follow the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act.
New business on the agenda included an amendment to a previously approved ordinance relating to renovating the city council chambers.
The project’s cost and budget is $600,000, according to City Engineer Ben Rauschenbach. Funds were coming from the 2025 Jail and Municipal Building Fund. Repairs include seating replacement, updating finishes, replacement of acoustics, and additional audio/visual projectors and screens.
Rauschenbach proposed changing where the funds are coming from in Tuesday’s meeting. There is an outstanding amount in the 2018 LCDA bond that could cover the project, resulting in the closer of the bond. The bond surplus totals $681,135 and would eliminate the city’s need to use the jail and municipal funds.
Emilee Ruth Calametti serves as staff reporter for The Center Square covering the Northwestern Louisiana region. She holds her M.A. in English from Georgia State University and soon, an additional M.A. in Journalism from New York University. Emilee has bylines in DIG Magazine, Houstonia Magazine, Bookstr, inRegister, The Click News, and the Virginia Woolf Miscellany.She is a Louisiana native with over seven years of journalism experience.
SUMMARY: KSAT’s Ernie Zuniga continues the “Show Me Your Medals” segment, highlighting local businesses and organizations selling Fiesta medals. Absolute Power Electrical Contractors celebrates its 20th anniversary, offering medals for $10 with proceeds benefiting Sleep at Heavenly Peace. Other businesses featured include True Branding, the San Antonio Humane Society, San Antonio Cactus and Zero Fight Society, Rhino Roofers, and the recently crowned first deaf queen of the San Antonio Lutheran Coronation Association. Medals are available for $10 each, with proceeds supporting various causes. Viewers are encouraged to send in their medals for inclusion in the ongoing Fiesta celebration.
Today’s medals were from Absolute Power Electrical Contractors, Tru Branding, San Antonio Humane Society, San Antonio Cactus & Xerophyte Society, Rhino Roofers and Queen Gabriella Banda.
