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Federal Guidance Update: Our Commitment to Students Remains Unchanged

Posted Date: 2/27/25 (6:22 PM)
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Federal Guidance Update: Our Commitment to Students Remains Unchanged
On Friday, Feb. 14, the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague” letter that urged public schools nationwide to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion practices or potentially lose federal funding. 
 
Dear Colleague Letters are official communications from government agencies, like the U.S. Department of Education, that provide guidance on policies, legal interpretations, or best practices for schools. They do not create new laws, or hold legal authority, but can indicate how a government agency may act in the future.
 
How does this affect Bethel?
This letter will not impact the work we do here in Bethel and the services we provide to our students. We are not altering our policies, practices, or community commitments in response to the Dear Colleague shared on Feb. 14, as the letter does not have legal authority. We are in full compliance with state and federal laws and our programs and policies do not discriminate based on any protected classes. We will remain focused on the well-being and academic success of our students each and every day. 
 
The recent flurry of federal letters, statements, budget freezes, and policy changes has understandably raised questions, but we want to be clear—our commitment to serving students in Bethel remains unchanged.
 
The Bethel School Board is aligned with the district in its efforts to ensure safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments where every student is welcomed and given the opportunities they need to succeed. While national policies may shift, our values, district policies, and state laws ensure that Bethel schools remain welcoming spaces for all students.
 
In the coming weeks and months we will be working in partnership with the Oregon Department of Education to learn more about how changes at the federal level may impact our school district and others in the state.