CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION

In the Downtown longform in our October issue on federal financial threats to K-12 school districts that do not abandon DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies, our writer drew a conclusion that “The Troy School District stated that it squarely stands behind initiatives and a culture steeped in DEI,” which can be viewed as as a quote from Troy Pubic Schools Director of Communications Kendra Montante. It was not part of a statement by the district but a conclusion of the writer. The district, in an email to Downtown, had said: "We understand that DEI can mean different things to different people. In Troy, our emphasis is not on politics but on creating welcoming environments where students from all backgrounds, whether cultural, religious, linguistic, or personal, feel connected and valued. For example, our curriculum continues to include a wide variety of course offerings, including world languages such as Spanish, Chinese, French and several others. We also support student-led clubs, which provide spaces for students to connect with peers who share common interests, including cultural and affinity groups." The response from Montante included: “As for federal or state policy changes, our approach is simple: we will always follow the laws and regulations in place. At the same time, we remain committed to providing high-quality educational experiences that reflect the rich diversity of our community.”