Formal Federal Civil Rights Complaint – Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District

To:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
ocr@ed.gov

From:
Concerned Parent

[Your contact info]

Date: June 23, 2025

Dear Office for Civil Rights,

I am writing to submit a formal complaint against the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District for its apparent violations of:

• Executive Orders 14151 and 14190,
• Title VI and Title IX,
• and First and Fourteenth Amendment protections.

As detailed below and supported in the attached exhibits, the district has instituted a DEI hiring and policy framework that promotes ideological content, compels belief conformity, and bypasses the constitutional and statutory boundaries governing federally funded public education.

Allegation Summary

On June 2, 2025, the district published an internal job posting titled “Diversity & Equity Inclusion Team (Job ID: 1102)” which included responsibilities such as:

• Advising district leadership on DEI policy,
• Influencing curriculum development,
• Overseeing identity-focused subcommittees,
• Confronting students and staff regarding subjective “equity issues,”
• Promoting a district-wide DEI narrative to the public.

The intent and language of this posting reflect an institutionalized DEI agenda that goes far beyond nondiscrimination, directly violating federal prohibitions on ideological programming under Executive Orders 14151 and 14190.

This is not a hypothetical concern. These roles, if filled, would represent a structural commitment to compelled ideological messaging throughout the school system — including areas of curriculum, staff development, student interaction, and public communications.

Administrative Response

I contacted the district directly and provided a clear opportunity for correction or clarification. While the superintendent did respond, he offered no factual rebuttal to the specific concerns raised. Instead, the reply shifted focus to generalized concepts like “psychological safety” and “human dignity” — language which, while emotionally appealing, sidesteps the legal and structural concerns at the core of this complaint.

I respect the superintendent’s effort to maintain professionalism and tone, particularly given the sensitivity of these issues within our community. However, the failure to address the direct implications of the DEI job responsibilities — despite repeated opportunities — suggests a conscious effort to obscure institutional intent and reframe the narrative rather than engage with the legal substance.

Basis for Complaint

The DEI initiative as described:

• Violates EO 14151 by using federal resources to advance identity-based ideology.
• Violates EO 14190 by embedding DEI into curriculum and training.
• Conflicts with Title VI and IX by creating unequal treatment and compelled participation in belief-based programming.
• Infringes upon First Amendment protections by institutionalizing compelled ideological speech.
• Undermines parental rights under the Fourteenth Amendment by attempting to reshape student identity and moral reasoning without parental consent.

Attached as Exhibit A is the full email exchange with the district; Exhibit B outlines the DEI role’s duties as presented; and Exhibit C presents the legal framework and relevant precedents.

Request for Action

I respectfully request that the Office for Civil Rights:

• Investigate the use of federal funds by the district in connection with DEI-related hiring, training, and curriculum decisions;
• Require the immediate withdrawal or suspension of DEI-related postings that violate federal directives;
• Provide a determination on the district’s current and future eligibility for federal education funds based on compliance.

This complaint is filed in good faith and in the hope that a return to legally grounded, viewpoint-neutral education can be restored for all students — including my own child, who remains enrolled in the district. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Respectfully,
Concerned Parent

[Phone] | [Email]