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Candidates discuss equity, diversity and recent cut to district director of equity role
Summary
Forum candidates said the district should continue work on inclusion and highlighted the need to restore equity leadership and diversify hiring; some said a director of equity position cut earlier this year should be reconsidered.
Candidates at a Lowell forum discussed diversity, equity and inclusion policies and criticized the district’s recent decision to cut a director-of-equity position earlier in the year.
During a rapid-response series, the moderator asked whether candidates would support restoring the director-of-equity role, requiring equity audits every three years, ensuring diverse hiring and making culturally reflective books available to all students. Most candidates answered affirmatively and described an active role for the committee in championing equity practices.
Speakers said unconscious bias affects hiring and that increased transparency and training in recruitment decisions are needed. Several candidates described existing efforts — including training for supervisors and hiring panels — but said more must be done to attract and retain educators who speak families’ languages and reflect student demographics.
Panelists also highlighted the district’s work to protect immigrant students and cited committee-level policies restricting ICE from entering school properties without an arrest warrant as an existing protective measure. Candidates proposed expanded family outreach, translation and interpretation services and periodic equity audits to track progress.
The forum offered no formal action; candidates said they would seek to restore or recreate equity leadership and work with administration to implement audits and inclusive hiring practices if elected.
