There's nationwide pushback over the Trump Administration's demand to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public schools.

The clock is ticking for school districts to sign off on an Ohio Department of Education and Workforce certification mandate on diversity, equity, and inclusion bans. The U.S. Department of Education says if districts don't comply, they risk the chance of losing millions in federal funds. 

Youngstown City School relies heavily on $16 million in federal funding, and the school board told 21 News it's only option to put a pen to paper. 

Districts have a new deadline of this Thursday, April 24, to sign off on the directive. A representative for YCSD has confirmed with 21 News that Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor has indeed signed off on the directive Tuesday morning.

"We're not going to sacrifice $16 million for our children," Superintendent Batchelor said during Tuesday's school board meeting. "But what we are being asked to do is undemocratic and just not right. We should say the words: 'diversity, equity, and inclusion.' I'm not referring to it as DEI. It is about doing what is best for all people and all children."

Groups, including the Ohio Education Association, are working to see what can be done.

"It means accessibility to all people," said Democratic Community Advocate Michael Kripchak during Tuesday's school board meeting. "Be they race, creed, or color. Especially as it comes to our schools, whether they have a disability or some sort of mental or emotional issue, they deserve the right to access the same education that the majority of us have."

The Youngstown City School District tells 21 News the $16 million expenses salaries to maintain sufficient staffing.

"That's $16 million that would be very difficult to replace," Superintendent Batchelor told 21 News. "That would be a big chunk of dollars that do some essential things for our kids here, and kids who choose to go other places that live in Youngstown."

The school board gave the thumbs up to Superintendent Batchelor to sign off on the measure, in efforts to keep those federal dollars.

Superintendent Batchelor says those dollars pay for curriculum staff, social workers, instructional coaches, and Title I teachers.

"Teachers that are from Valley Christian, Cardinal Mooney, those private schools, they still have some of those Title I teachers as well," Batchelor added. "They're funding from those funds. Our social workers' standards speak to their diversity, equity, and inclusion," Batchelor added. "And so those are some of the things that we were really working through in terms of policies and procedures. We are making sure we don't get dinged for doing what is right for kids and funneling our standards, but are anti-what some would consider diversity, equity, and inclusion."

"Exposure is so important for kids," Kripchak added. "And if they don't experience a diverse and inclusive environment, where else are they going to experience that? It's one of the best places to reach them where they're at."

"Once we submit the resolution to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, hopefully that will be the end of it for now," Batchelor said. "We are going to fight the battles to ensure our district is diverse, provides equity, and is inclusive."

Batchelor plans to sign the resolution on Wednesday.