A.C.E. Academy will equip students from all backgrounds to succeed in the college and career of their
choice by driving academic excellence, developing strong character, and instilling an entrepreneurial mindset.

The board is scheduled to vote in a formal and professional manner to approve the minutes recorded during the previous board meeting.

*A.C.E. Academy Public Comment Policy is two per meeting for reaction to what has been discussed during the meeting.

From: David R. Hostetler, Esq. <hos@hoslaw.com>
Date: Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Subject: Lexis Client Update: T.IX Regulatory Enforcement
To: Lexis Services <Services@lex-is.com>
 

Dear Lexis Clients and Friends,

You are probably aware that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on January 31, 20, and updated yesterday (February 4). The letter states that due to recent court decisions overturning the agency’s 2024 Title IX regulation changes (“2024 T.IX Regs.”), the Department will no longer enforce those regulations. Instead, the Department will revert to enforcing the Title IX regulations adopted in 2020 (“2020 T.IX Regs.”). The Department also stated that it will enforce those 2020 regulations consistent with President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." What this means is difficult to say for now. For any schools with OCR investigations currently underway, it is uncertain how such cases will be handled.

Restoring 2020-based Policies and Procedures. You may recall prior communications from our firm referencing services for updating your Title IX policies to reflect the 2024 changes. Some of your schools did so, with accompanying training. Regrettably, much of that effort has been in vain despite the general benefits of policy and practice reviews, training, and increased discrimination awareness and sensitivity. 

Our firm previously offered  2020 T.IX Policy and Procedures templates, timelines, and related training and support. We continue to offer these services.  

To-do List.  Here is a short list of some initial tasks at hand: 

A. If your school updated your policies and practices to conform to the 2024 T.IX Regs: 

Your board should promptly replace its T.IX policies and procedures and re-adopt policies and procedures to reflect the 2020 T.IX policies and procedures.

Return to 2020 T.IX Regs training schedules and processes.

Consider notifying parties and officials involved in pending investigations of the changes and their implications. (We may need to first discuss this to determine if and how such investigations are subject to the 2024 Regulations.) 

B. Generally, for all schools: 

This is a good time to review your school’s T.IX practices, procedures, training regimen, and current T.IX investigations.

Review and update, as needed, your webpage T.IX notices and policy links.

Ensure that your T.IX Coordinator and Officials keep abreast of these and subsequent developments.

Contact me if you need assistance, including a review of existing policies.

Conclusion. Education law and practice, as well as politics and policy, are often a winding path; in this instance the better metaphor may be akin to pushing a rock up a hill and having it roll back down. I acknowledge, with sincere regret, that these kinds of things drive up the costs (legal and otherwise) and stresses of running your schools. Let’s hope for more stability in the future, though it appears less likely in the short term. 

As always, I greatly admire all you and your colleagues do on the front lines and appreciate your trust in our firm to assist. 

Again, let me know if we can help.

Best wishes,

David

All board members must review, approve and sign.

Closed Session (If Necessary) Must be voted on prior to going into session.

To prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to the law of this State or of the United
States, or not considered a public record within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.