Federal Relief Funds Used for ‘Anti-Racism’ Training in Albuquerque Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools utilized hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic-related federal relief funds for ‘anti-racism’ training. Originally aimed at aiding students with learning loss, the funds ended up financing training for teachers and administrators.
Funding and Controversy
The district initially approved $336,500 from the American Rescue Plan in 2021 for the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). However, records reviewed by America First Legal (AFL) revealed the district spent nearly $700,000 on the program. School officials could not verify the exact spending or the federal COVID relief funds’ contribution, lacking immediate access to the records.
Training Program Details
PISAB, supported by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, promotes training defining whiteness and scrutinizing the race as a classification system. In Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), the training included courses like ‘Community Conversations’ and the ‘Introduction to Undoing Racism.’ These were delivered via the Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest (ARTI), affiliated with PISAB for 23 years.
The training initially targeted school leadership, involving principals and assistant principals during the 2020-21 school year. By mid-2022, at least 721 APS employees from teachers to senior officials completed the training program, as indicated by AFL records.
Criticism from America First Legal
‘Leftist groups infiltrate schools to shape and control children’s minds and social behavior,’ said Bobby Crossin of America First Legal. ‘Albuquerque Public Schools repurposed funds meant for helping students affected by lockdowns towards Critical Race Theory indoctrination.’
Julie Levin, senior counsel at AFL, expressed concern over relief funds allocated for aiding student recovery instead being used for anti-racism training.
Program Expansion Plans
Records show APS proposed expanding the program, aiming for $1 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion training to reach nearly 2,000 people annually through 2024. Officials also considered adding a student-focused component engaging 20-30 students per middle and high school. However, APS confirmed the student component was never executed.
The district continued working with ARTI in 2023, securing a $27,000 estimate for in-person ‘Undoing Racism’ training.
Backing and Regional Efforts
APS defended its decisions, aiming to enhance attendance and academic success. A spokesperson stated, ‘We haven’t received criticism about this.’
PISAB continues offering such training nationwide, according to Levin, with sessions in cities like Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn.
‘America First Legal will keep exposing the diversion of public-school funds from education to divisive ideological programs,’ Levin added.
Fox News Digital sought comments from PISAB regarding these training programs.