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Board splits 4-3 but approves director of equity and inclusion contract after separate vote
Summary
After removing the director of equity and inclusion contract from a broader batch of administrative renewals for separate consideration, the District 128 board voted 4-3 to approve the contract on Feb. 24 following extended discussion among board members about the role and its implementation.
The Community High School District 128 Board of Education voted 4-3 on Feb. 24 to approve a contract for the district’s director of equity and inclusion after several board members requested separate discussion of that position.
Board member Don Carmichael moved to approve the director of equity and inclusion contract after separating it from the larger package of 10- and 12-month administrative renewals; Cara Benjamin seconded. The roll-call vote recorded ayes from Jim Batson, Cara Benjamin, Don Carmichael and Lisa Hessel; Sonal Kulkarni, Cara Drumke and Middelish Katwal voted no. The motion passed.
Board members who objected described their concern as structural rather than ideological. "My biggest concern is that any vote will indicate some kind of a value placed on the work that the district is doing towards equity and inclusion, and that is not my intent," Sonal Kulkarni said on the record. Kulkarni and others said they support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work in general but questioned whether a district-level administrator is the best implementation vehicle, or whether building-level structures should carry more of the work.
Board members who supported the contract argued the role assists existing building-level efforts and that approving the contract allows the incoming superintendent to evaluate the administrative team during his transition. "I think that we are putting a stranglehold on the new superintendent" by declining to approve the contract, one board member warned, arguing the new leader should have flexibility to reorganize.
The contract vote came after the board approved the batch of 10- and 12-month administrative contracts with the DEI position removed for separate consideration. District administrators said the administrative positions are on annual or multi-year contracts and that the board would see a staffing plan in March.
The board did not detail contract salary or other financial terms for the DEI position in the public remarks recorded in the transcript; those details are listed in the board packet. The board’s vote allows the district to continue with the position while the incoming superintendent starts in July and reviews district administrative organization.
