ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Michigan State University (MSU) Extension representative addressed the Delta County Board of Commissioners Monday evening, after the board postponed a vote on its continued support for the 4-H program earlier this month.
At the time, Commissioner Bob Barron cited concerns over a mention of “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” also known as DEI, in the agreement. On Monday, MSU Extension District 1 Director Paul Putnam defined DEI at the board’s request.
“For us, equity means that we’re going to try to accommodate and provide access, because that’s what education is about,” he told the commissioners. “It’s about access so that they can participate.”
In response to concerns about DEI principles being taught to 4-H students, he said DEI is part of training for Extension staff members. According to Putnam, DEI ensures there are “no barriers” to education.
“It’s not about trying to indoctrinate anybody,” he said. “We make our staff aware of these things that are required by law, and in doing so, they’re better prepared to work with any number of people in your community, of all walks of life.”
Barron called DEI a “delivery system” of critical race theory. He likened DEI to Planned Parenthood, which he linked back to eugenics.
“I think you need to go back and take a look at what you’re using for your language and adjust it according to what you’re actually doing, because you’re fulfilling the Americans With Disabilities Act,” Barron told Putnam. “Critical race theory is way, way deeper than what you’re bringing forward to us, but the fact that you’re using that language puts you in that same boat.”
Barron said he could not support the county’s agreement with the MSU Extension unless they changed the language.
“Yes, you’ve done a lot of fine work over the years,” he said, “but as what’s happened with other organizations that get into this, eventually you will get corrupted.”
The board voted in favor of continuing its agreement with the Extension with a 4% increase, with only Barron opposing. Some commissioners said while they do not support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, they could not withhold support from kids in the Extension’s 4-H programs.
“I’m not a fan of DEI,” Commission Chair David Moyle said. “I am a fan of 4-H, and I’m not prepared to remove my support yet.”
The board also voted to send a complaint to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding what Barron calls a potential “breach of confidentiality” and possible discrimination against the county as a landowner by Delta Conservation District Board Chair Joe Kaplan. WZMQ 19 will have more on that decision on Tuesday’s newscast.
