A recent job posting by a school district in Minnesota has sparked interest, due to its high salary and unusual job requirements.
Minnesota Job Post
A Minnesota school district posted an unconventional job listing last month, seeking an assistant superintendent who would help to “communicate anti-racist structures and systems” in the school district.
A Racial Emphasis
The St. Louis Park Public School District gained attention for the language used in the job post, which places a heavy emphasis on racial topics.
“Anti-Racist Action”
It called for a person who could show “unwavering” commitment to “anti-racist action” and “advancing racial consciousness” across various systems and frameworks in the school system.
Job Description
“The 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,” the post reads.
Advancing Racial Equity In the School District
The purpose of the position is to advance racial equity in the school district for students and employees and pinpoint areas where improvements could be made.
A Diverse School District
It makes sense when you consider that the St. Louis Park school district has a diverse population of students. Just over half of the school is white, with 21% Black students and 12% Hispanic students.
Questions Have Been Raised
But some have questioned its critical use of the term “whiteness” in the job post as potentially racially inflammatory.
“The Role of Whiteness”
The Knowledge, Skills & Abilities section of the job post calls for the candidate to “examine the presence and role of “Whiteness” in systems and structures.
An Impressive Salary
The position also pays well compared to many other school positions. The district is offering an annual salary of between $134,141 and $201,212 for the right person.
More Than Double the Average Teachers Salary
In comparison, the average public school teacher’s salary in the U.S. is just $66,745, according to data from the National Education Association.
Implementing a New Racial Approach
The salary indicated the school district’s commitment to finding someone who could help steer new racial policies in the right direction.
Applicant Experience
The successful applicant is expected to have a minimum of five years of experience supervising educational programs.
Licenses Needed
They would also have experience as a “licensed school administrator, director of special education or director of teaching and learning,” and a current Minnesota Superintendent Licensure.
Assistant Superintendent
They would be hired as an assistant to Dr. Carla Hines, who was appointed as the district’s new superintendent in mid-March.
Champion for Racial Equity
Hines is also reportedly a champion for “racial equity transformation” in the school system and has described herself as having a “steadfast commitment to see, empower, and inspire each student.”
“Vision for Racial Equity Transformation”
“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 the chair of the school board in a public statement.
Targeted Questions for Interviewees
In her previous work at Eden Prairie district, Hines established a number of “targeted questions” for interviewees during the hiring process that ensured they would be able to work in racially diverse school environments.
Separating the Candidates
She used these questions to “help separate those who’ll work successfully with students of color—and other communities—from those who won’t.”
DEI Debate
While the debate around the inclusion of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) frameworks in schools has gained plenty of controversy, it is an important issue for workers in schools and school district boards to consider as they look to pivot and/or upskill in their careers.
Considerations for the Industry
Based on the St Louis Park job posting, how you implement racial equity into your teaching and/or approach to work could pay dividends in the future job market.
The post Minnesota School District Invests $100-200k Annually in Anti-Racist Education first appeared on Wealthy Living.
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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
