A Minnesota school district is hiring a new assistant superintendent who will be expected to “examine” the presence of “Whiteness.”
St. Louis Park Public Schools just outside Minneapolis posted the job description for the position on the district’s job board.
The job, with a salary between $134,141 and $201,212, will focus specifically on injecting “anti-racism” into the district’s culture.
“[T]he Assistant Superintendent proactively supports the Superintendent to create and communicate anti-racist structures and systems, works to interrupt systems of oppression, and serves as a role model for culturally relevant pedagogy,” reads the job description.
The posting says the person who fills the role will be “unwaveringly committed to anti-racist actions” and will have a “clear personal commitment to advancing racial equity.”
It continues, “They prioritize their own racial equity journey and set clear expectations for themselves and others in their pursuit of racial equity goals.”
The new assistant superintendent will also “use data to adapt and sustain their efforts towards racial equity.”
“They actively listen for both spoken and unspoken racial concerns, seek multiple racial perspectives, examine the presence and role of ‘Whiteness’ in systems and structures, and are open to feedback regarding their own racial blind spots,” the job posting reads.
Meanwhile, this person also “[f]osters joy and cultivates a culture of accountability for systemic racial equity transformation.”
Just last week, the district hired a new superintendent, Dr. Carla Hines, who appears to be focused on racial equity.
“Her educational leadership, dedication to student academic success, and vision for racial equity transformation is impressive and I’m confident she’ll lead our district with integrity and passion, advancing our strategic plan,” said school board chairman Colin Cox in announcing Hines as superintendent.
The St. Louis Park district serves more than 4,500 students at nine schools. Just over half the students are white, while about 20% are black, nearly 13% are Hispanic, and the rest are mixed race, Asian, or another minority.
About 18% of students are economically disadvantaged, and 8% are still learning English.
Only about 34% of high schoolers in the district are proficient in math, and 58% are proficient in reading. Among middle schoolers, 37% are proficient in math, and 52% are proficient in reading.
In recent years, parents in districts across the country have spoken out against critical race theory (CRT) and other race-related curriculum content they find divisive and objectionable for children.
In 2022, the Florida education board banned public schools from teaching CRT. Some individual districts, such as Temecula Valley Unified School District in California, have banned elements of CRT.
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