OCR COMPLAINT: Summit School District

On April 26, 2024, Parents Defending Education (PDE) filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against Summit School District in Frisco, Colorado 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. Summit School District has parent affinity groups that are not open to all parents. The District invites some parents to participate in these groups, and invitations are granted solely on the basis of an individual’s race. Attached to this complaint is an article, “Summit School District superintendent apologizes for comments made about feeling ‘drained’ by parent committees and ‘privileged white people’” (Exhibit A)1 and an email sent from Summit School District’s Community Engagement & Event Coordinator to Hispanic parents in the District regarding meeting attendance for the newly developed “Consejo de Familias Hispanas” parent affinity group (Exhibit B).

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.