The Trump administration’s Department of Education has launched a civil rights investigation into Ithaca City School District (ICSD) after a Cornell law professor’s group alleged that its Students of Color United (SOCU) Summits unlawfully excluded white students. The complaint argues the events violated the Civil Rights Act and the 1964 Supreme Court ruling against school segregation.
ICSD denies wrongdoing, stating the summits were open to all students and any past exclusionary language was a miscommunication. However, Equal Protection Project founder William A. Jacobson claims the district has not apologized and insists the policy was intentional and systemic.
The investigation does not confirm legal violations, but its outcome could impact future school diversity initiatives nationwide. ICSD says it welcomes the review and will cooperate fully.
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