Part-time position angers some

position.

The board on Tuesday voted 6-2 to make it a parttime position. Board members Chad Stubenbort and Neal Nola voted no, and Stephanie Byrne was absent.

In the same motion, the board agreed to create an “equity team” that would include the coordinator, a diversity consultant, two principals, an assistant superintendent, two teachers and one parent.

The equity team will work with students and teachers at Evergreen and Cleveland Steward elementary schools, which were chosen as pilot schools for the 2017-18 school year.

The team will also provide diversity training to all staff members within those schools and eventually to all teachers.

But some said the district should be doing more.

Epryl King, a teacher in the district who served on the achievement gap committee, said it was a “slap in the face” not to take the committee’s recommendation for a full-time coordinator.

She called it a “grave flaw” to undo the decision that was made in May.

“We cannot do it without someone leading the way,” she said.

“It’s more than an educational issue. It’s a civil rights issue,” Lenae Howard said.

Lorraine Lewis said she was “really, really hurt” that the board decided to go with a part-time position.

“In light of what’s going on in the country, this is the last thing we want to do,” she said.

Board member Mary Beth Cirucci said prior to voting that the administration searched for a fulltime equity coordinator but could not find a qualified candidate, but did find someone who could work on a part-time basis.

“Just because something changes, don’t assume we’re trying to do it underhanded,” Ms. Cirucci said. She also said that the part-time position could grow.

“This is a start. I’m glad we’re starting something,” board president Scott Williams said.

The board then voted to adjourn the meeting prior to the second public comment period of the evening in which residents could comment on any agenda item.