My answer to “Where does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fit into the Germantown School District curriculum?” from the Germantown Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum:
We don't have any DEI program in the Germantown School District.
That was, in effect, confirmed in a jsonline article by my opponent when he said, "it's not something I've seen..."
In June of 2021, the Germantown School Board voted to define DEI as Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. I was one of the votes to approve this definition. I still maintain that position and would vote again today if presented with it.
To even consider implementing a DEI (equity) program, district policy, in effect, would have to be changed by a majority of the Board.
Why did I vote this way?
My definition of equity involves outcome. Equality refers to opportunity - everyone has an equal chance to be successful and merit still exists. Equity requires someone to determine what everyone deserves to get. Who decides how equity is defined?
When we hear DEI, the diversity piece assumes that people go into the equation, however, diversity is also an outcome and that piece is generally what gets ignored.
I believe as a Board member, I'm in a better position to ensure equality than what is equity based on different or varied metrics. How do you choose who to lift up while holding back others?
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