AUSTIN, Texas -- For the first time ever, the Austin Independent School District will have an equity officer—a new administrative role whose only job will be to assess and address equity gaps.
- Austin ISD to hire equity officer
- Will assess and address equity gaps
- District seeking input from parents
“They’re going to be looking at hiring processes, budget, so really all throughout the district taking a look at our practices through a lens of equity,” Special Assistant to the Superintendent, Brian Hill said.
Over the course of three public meetings and an online portal, parents are asked to give input in terms of what kind of person that district should be looking for. Staff will take these recommendations and build a candidate profile based on the feedback.
“We’ll take all the input, compile it, and put it into a profile that we’ll use to screen candidates for the position and then also help formulate interview questions,” Hill said.
Former students are getting involved in the hiring process too. They say an equity officer can help put the district in the right direction.
“This person should have a drive to correct the past systemic inequities for students of color,” AISD graduate Jared Breckenridge said.
The deadline to hire someone is in June.