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Merced School District Faces Backlash Over $300K Program

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Merced City School District faces scrutiny for spending nearly $300,000 on the School Yard Rap program about African American history.
Critics, including Defending Education, an advocacy group, say the program’s African American Affinity Group may violate federal laws against race-based programming.
Brandon Brown, founder of School Yard Rap, says the camp is open to all students.
The camp aims to educate about diverse cultures.

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Story summary

Merced City School District faces scrutiny for spending nearly $300,000 on the School Yard Rap program about African American history.
Critics, including Defending Education, an advocacy group, say the program’s African American Affinity Group may violate federal laws against race-based programming.
Brandon Brown, founder of School Yard Rap, says the camp is open to all students.
The camp aims to educate about diverse cultures.