OCR Complaint: Berea City School District

On May 16, 2022, Parents Defending Education (PDE) filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against Berea City School District in Berea, Ohio for discrimination on the basis of race and sex in programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance in violation of both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).

PDE makes this complaint as an interested third-party organization that opposes discrimination and political indoctrination in America’s schools. Attached to this complaint is supporting evidence in the form of an equity audit conducted by Education Service Center of Northeast Ohio (ESCNO), which was presented to the school board on October 4, 2021 (Exhibit A).

According to ESCNEO State Support Team Consultant Tom Hanicak, the audit was conducted by analyzing academic programs, teaching quality, and achievement data. The audit’s findings reveal problems in the district that merit investigation.

In light of the data uncovered by the district’s commissioned equity audit, we ask that the Department promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy any unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief. These disparities could have race- and sex-neutral explanations, but Berea has provided none. And its decision to conduct an “equity audit” suggests that, in Berea’s view, these disparities stem from racism and sexism inside the school district.