Select Board votes to require DEI training for all town employees

The Northfield Select Board voted 5-0 on May 27 to amend the personnel policy to require all town employees to attend diversity, equity and inclusion training consistent with the town’s Declaration of Inclusion (adopted Dec. 13, 2022).

A board member proposed the amendment during the meeting and explained the intent was to resume and expand DEI training after two earlier training sessions did not meet the board’s expectations. The motion as read at the meeting stated: “Amend our personnel policy to require all employees of the town of Northfield to attend DEI training and continuing education regarding DEI consistent with the declaration of inclusion of 13 December 2022.”

After brief discussion about implementation and scheduling, the board voted in favor of the motion. The board asked town management to prepare policy language and to coordinate with a trainer; one board member volunteered to work with management to schedule initial sessions for the board and staff.

There was no detailed budget amendment at the meeting for specific consultant fees; the board directed staff to include training details and any associated costs in future personnel-policy materials and scheduling discussions.