Public opposition convinced School Superintendent David Moore to scrap the idea of hiring a high-priced equity and diversity expert to navigate a resolution to a 54-year-old federal desegregation order.
Parents and political activists criticized the job posting for a Chief Equity and Diversity Officer during School Board meetings on March 9, April 13 and April 27, as well as the April 14 county Taxpayers’ Association meeting.
Some called it a waste of money and others labeled it an attempt to force a liberal political agenda on relatively conservative and Republican Indian River County.
“I will not have a position with that particular name,” Moore told Vero Beach 32963 Friday about the proposed Chief Equity and Diversity Officer job. “I don’t want one position or one individual to have that burden placed upon them.”
The local debate over the position reflects the national controversy about how to address systemic racism in public schools. It also shows how the terms “equity” and “diversity” have become political fighting words.
Instead of hiring an administrator at $100,000 per year to lead the school district’s equity and diversity efforts, Moore said he decided to spread the duties among several district administrators.
That includes Deborah Taylor-Long, who has worked on the desegregation efforts as Coordinator of Equity & Community Engagement.
“I think in our current structures, there’s opportunities to shift and modify current assignments in order to get the same result without the need of additional positions,” Moore said.
While several parents and political activists spoke out passionately against the position during recent public meetings, no one got up to speak in its defense.
“I can listen to the community, understand why they have that concern when you look at the national narrative,” Moore said. “But I can tell you the School District of Indian River County is not going to let any political agenda get beyond the schoolhouse doors.”
The school district has agreed to improve the academic performance of African-American students and hire more African-American educators, among other goals, under a 1967 federal desegregation order.
The school district posted its search on Feb. 24 for a Chief Equity and Diversity Officer to “lead the district’s efforts to build a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, families, employees, and school community.”
The posting says a certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is preferred and the job requires the “ability to challenge and influence peers to approach all work with an equity lens.”
The pushback started at the March 9 School Board meeting when a parent and a political activist spoke out against the proposed position. Since then, 12 more parents and political activists called upon the School Board to reject the idea of hiring an equity and diversity chief, with some claiming it will lead to a curriculum that teaches racism is embedded in American institutions.
“I still believe this is an expensive symbolic gesture, which is a total waste of tax dollars,” Susan Mehiel, a political activist, told the School Board on April 13.
“Students of every color and race come from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Mehiel said. “If you really care for the kids, you’ll give Dr. Long the resources she needs, and you’ll start tackling all the problems you have here.”
Melissa Burdick, a former teacher and parent of three students, portrayed equity and diversity lessons as reverse racism that victimizes white students.
Researching complaints about equity and diversity programs in other districts helped him understand the parents’ fears, Moore said. That’s why he decided to scrap the idea of hiring a Chief Equity and Diversity Officer.
“I think the response is a validation that this work needs to be done and it needs to be done in a way our county understands and embraces,” Moore said. “Our intent to ensure every kid feels accepted and embraced in our school system.”
“So, redistributing responsibilities and defining those responsibilities for what we want to do for Indian River County is the way to go,” Moore said.
