(The Lion) — A Florida school district is cutting ties with unfair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The Palm Beach County School Board, representing one of the nation’s largest school districts, voted to eliminate all DEI programs and practices in the district this week. The southeastern Florida district serves over 189,000 students.

Previously, the district used DEI in teacher hiring and contracting with businesses, WPBF reports.

The board took the vote as the Trump administration has vowed to cut federal funding for school systems that don’t eliminate DEI programming, which discriminates based on race, sex and other factors.

In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order against DEI, giving districts until April 24 to comply and amend their policies.

The Palm Beach board beat the deadline by one day. At risk was $300 million in federal funding, or about 10% of the district’s budget.

The only member to oppose the amended policy was Edwin Ferguson.

“This foolishness that we’re having to capitulate to. I can’t tacitly support it,” Ferguson said, accusing his fellow board members of voting out of fear of Trump, whom he referred to as a “bully.”

“I say call their bluff,” he said. “We see when you hit the bully, the bully always tucks tail and goes and runs. So, I dare the bully to pull our $300 million.”

But Superintendent Mike Burke said complying with the Trump administration was the best option for the district.

“Basically, it boils down to, if you have any policy that would provide a preference for any person based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin, you can be found to be noncompliant,” he said. “I’m not a real fearful person myself, but I can’t look at just my own personal situation. I have to look at the district and the finances, and I felt like the threat was real.”

Additionally, board member Gloria Branch said she voted to end DEI in the district because she believes it’s what’s right.

“Just to be clear, I’m not voting in fear in any of these policies,” she said.

The new policy is effective immediately but is not considered permanent until the board votes once more after a 90-day public comment period.