Seattle Public School “Diversity Employees” Are Among Highest Paid in System

Seattle Public Schools focuses on the issues. “legacies of racism in our education system” and has placed its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion employees amongst the highest-paid in the district.

The highest paid district administrators are the top two African American Male Achievement and Department of Racial Equity Advancement officials.

According to the salary information provided to Washington, James Bush’s salary was increased from $151,480 to $114,714 for 2020-21 to 2021-22. Bush received the 42% salary increase when he was promoted as chief of Equity, Partnerships and Engagement.

Mia Williams earned $231,229 in 2021-22 as chief of the Office of African American Male Achievement.

Manal Al-Ansi, director of Racial Equity Advancement, earned $154,662 between 2021-22. Her department has eight employees.

After being appointed chief of Equity, Partnerships and Engagement, Keisha Scarlett saw her salary rise from $158,451 in a year to $226,695 in just one year. Scarlett was made Chief Academic Officer in 2022. She earned $231 229 in 2021-22.

Seattle Public Schools made it a priority to improve the academic performance of African-American boys. “flagship goals.” One of the goals is improving 7th-grade math proficiency using the Smarter Balanced Assessment. This will take it from 23% in May 2019 to 45% and 65% respectively in June 2024 and June 2026.

In 2021-22, the highest-paid employee of the district (not including its superintendent) earned $242,087. In Seattle Public Schools, a teacher in their first year with a bachelor’s degree earned $63,180.

Seattle Public Schools’ media relations specialist Tim Robinson did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Schools across the country are looking for diversity managers in high-paying positions. In June 2000, Columbus City Schools appointed Dionne Blue its first chief equity officer. Blue earned $163,034 per year in 2021-22, and was the seventh-highest-paid employee of the district.

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