Schools in Utah’s capital city have become steadily more diverse each year — as of this fall, 24 of its 38 schools have minority groups that outnumber white students. One elementary school is nearly 90 percent students of color.
Though the numbers are a landmark — giving Salt Lake City School District the highest minority student population in the state — they’ve highlighted an ongoing dispute over how the district is serving these kids and their families.
A former diversity director charges that the district has a history of blocking programs to help students of color. But the district says recent changes to bolster its equity department have improved its support for minorities.