Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) redirected substantial pandemic-era federal relief funds, intended to help students recover from learning losses, towards “anti-racism” training for teachers and administrators. In 2021, the district approved $336,500 in American Rescue Plan funds for training associated with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). However, records obtained by America First Legal indicate APS spent nearly $700,000 on this initiative.
Despite inquiries, district officials could not confirm the exact spending or the portion sourced from federal relief funds due to unavailable records. PISAB, which has benefitted from grants by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, provides training materials that instruct “White folks” to understand their racial identity. It also describes race as a “specious classification” devised to assign social status and power.
The initiative included “Community Conversations,” an introductory course on equity and anti-racism, an “Introduction to Undoing Racism,” and a “Undoing Racism” workshop. These were facilitated by the Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest (ARTI), which has collaborated with PISAB for 23 years. The program initially focused on school leadership, with APS principals and assistant principals participating in courses specifically designed for the district.
By July 2022, at least 721 APS staff members had attended ARTI training sessions. These sessions aimed to promote anti-racism principles among district officials. Bobby Crossin from America First Legal criticized this use of funds, stating they diverted resources intended to assist students affected by government lockdowns to Critical Race Theory-related training.
Julie Levin from America First Legal expressed concern over the use of pandemic relief funds at a crucial time for student recovery. She asserted that public funds went to sessions that indoctrinated educators with specific racial ideologies.
Records show APS planned to expand the initiative, proposing nearly $1 million for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training through 2024, potentially reaching 2,000 individuals annually. District officials contemplated extending the effort to students, aiming to introduce them to equity principles in select schools. However, APS reported to Fox News Digital that this student component never materialized.
Despite criticisms, APS defended the training, highlighting its role in improving student outcomes. They planned continued collaboration with ARTI, commissioning a $27,000 estimate for additional “Undoing Racism” training.
Levin emphasized PISAB’s ongoing offering of such courses in various U.S. cities, including Seattle, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Brooklyn. America First Legal aims to expose public-school dollars’ diversion towards ideological programs they argue divide Americans by race.