Debate ensues at Hamilton County school board over diversity policy
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A debate over a Hamilton County School Board policy over hiring strategy turned tense.
The policy in question is policy 5.104 on Educator Diversity.
In the policy, it lists that administrators will implement strategies designed to quote, “support educator diversity.”
This policy was adjusted in July following the Dismantle DEI Act that was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee.
DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The law prohibits government entities from putting policies in place that would take various identities into consideration for hiring practices.
School board member Larry Grohn says he is concerned this policy is still not compliant with that law.
Grohn said, “We’ve gotten rid of DEI or DIE whichever one you wanna call it so what is the point here?… I think this policy is racist.”
Dr. Justin Robertson says this policy follows state and federal guidelines.
He says that it is necessary in a district where over half of the students are minorities.
Dr. Robertson said, “Right now our educator force is nowhere close to matching that demographic.”
According to data from the Tennessee Department of Education, about 11 percent of all teachers in Tennessee are African-American.
Hamilton County School administrators say that number is similar here, as 54 percent of the entire student body are either black or hispanic.
Dr. Robertson argues there is no ill intent behind the policy.
He said, “What we have done is increased our efforts to go to HBCUs and make sure that candidates are coming out of those, that are teachers of color or first generation graduates themselves. They have to be qualified. They have to be highly effective. We’re not lowering the bar for any.”
Grohn says while he would like to see a more diverse workforce, he doesn’t think this policy accomplishes that.
Grohn said, “When you introduce something like this, it says you’re going to put extra emphasis that automatically invites discrimination so I just don’t agree with this. I agree with the concept.”
It is unclear if the school board will take action on this policy.
