OCR COMPLAINT: Kingston City School District

On June 4, 2024, Parents Defending Education (PDE) filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against Kingston City School District in Kingston, New York for discrimination on the basis of race 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 the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

PDE makes this complaint as an interested third-party organization with members who are parents of school children throughout the country. PDE and its members oppose discrimination on the basis of race and political indoctrination in America’s schools. Kingston City School District has educator programming that is not accessible to all educators. The District only permits some educators to participate and their participation is based on immutable characteristics. Attached to this complaint is evidence in the form of a district webpage titled, “Meet KCSD’s Department of Diversity,” which describes the primary goals of developing DEI curriculum and “implement a plan for hiring staff to proportionately reflect our student body” (Exhibit A) and notes from the February 27, 2024 “Equity in Action Committee Meeting” (Exhibit B). These exhibits indicate that the District acting in a race conscious and discriminatory way.

Accordingly, we ask that the Department promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief.