Settlement Agreement: Tri-State School Board Agrees to Pay $100,000 and Revoke Diversity Policy

This blog originally appeared at Fox 19 Now.

On Thursday, a resolution was reached in the contentious lawsuit concerning diversity and inclusion within the Forest Hills School District, involving four student families.

Since June 2022, there has been a legal dispute between the school board and four families over a resolution aiming to prohibit race-based and gender-identity training for staff and curriculum in schools. The resolution was named the “Culture of Kindness and Equal Opportunity for All Students” Resolution.

After 18 months of legal battles, Forest Hills has agreed to a settlement that mandates the district to pay $100,000 to the attorneys of the parents and revoke their resolution, as outlined in the settlement document.

While I’m pleased that the resolution has been revoked, I see it as a temporary solution to a broader national issue. The idea that we can simply “agree to disagree” becomes problematic when some believe that certain voices should be silenced, specific experiences dismissed, and accepting LGBTQ children equated to grooming. While they may argue they act in the best interests of children, their limited perspective, excluding experiences of discrimination based on race, orientation, disability, or socioeconomics, demonstrates a willful ignorance. This approach, choosing not to listen to the diverse experiences of all children, can only be detrimental.

Despite reaching a settlement, the Forest Hills School District maintains that this doesn’t imply an acknowledgment of any wrongdoing or liability regarding the resolution.

The $100,000 payment is being covered by the district’s liability insurance.

The Resolution aimed to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The Board is confident that existing policies and guidelines will adequately fulfill the district’s obligations to students, parents, and the community. The Forest Hills School District Board of Education remains committed to supporting a high-quality educational experience that enables each student to attain personal success.

The “Culture of Kindness” resolution was adopted by the district in June 2022 but was not implemented as the district faced an ongoing lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

With the conclusion of the case, Janielle Davis, a parent of a student at Forest Hills, expressed relief, stating that they can now “breathe a little easier.”

“This victory goes beyond our immediate community; it is for anyone who has felt unseen and unheard over the past year,” elaborated Janielle Davis.

Natalie Hastings, a parent of two students, sees this as a pivotal moment for the Forest Hills community. However, she remains skeptical about the Board’s future actions.

“Now, as we enter 2024, we have an opportunity for a new beginning for our board and district, moving past the division and confusion caused by the Resolution. However, we will remain vigilant in monitoring the board’s activities to ensure every student receives a quality, honest education in a safe environment that promotes belonging and inclusion,” expressed Hastings.