EXCLUSIVE: Parent group requests investigation into Colorado school district over 'Employee of Color Gatherings'
(WLOS)
DENVER (TND) — After learning of a series of planned events excluding teachers working in the Jefferson County (Jeffco) School District R-1 on the basis of race, nonprofit advocacy group Parents Defending Education (PDE) sent a letter to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requesting they investigate the potentially discriminatory matter.
PDE's request for an investigation, obtained exclusively by The National Desk (TND), came after the nonprofit learned of Jeffco Public Schools' "Employee of Color Gatherings," which PDE insists violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
According to a flyer promoting the events, these gatherings are "a way to connect with other people of color while finding ways to learn, advocate and support equity and diversity in JeffCo."
The gatherings, according to the flyer, take place every third Thursday of the month, beginning in September and ending in April.
In addition to the flier, PDE also included a 104-page Master Negotiated Agreement created in conjunction with the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA) in its letter to the equal employment opportunity commission.
PDE noted how the agreement indicates plans from both the district and JCEA to develop "safe places," as well as mentorship and other support programs, that are only available to "educators of color."
"At no point in the entire 104-page Master Negotiated Agreement does the document assert that these opportunities are open to all employees," PDE insisted in its letter to the equal employment opportunity commission. "As the Commission is aware, 'the important purpose of Title VII' is 'that the workplace be an environment free of discrimination, where race is not a barrier to opportunity.'"
TND reached out to Jeffco Public Schools' Executive Director of Communication Services Diana Wilson for comment, and to confirm whether the district's "Employee of Color Gatherings" exclude teachers on the basis of their race. TND did not immediately hear back, but if a response is received, this story will be updated.
"These days, the use of race-based programs now appears to be the rule among districts (rather than the unconstitutional exception) - and accordingly, we look forward to the Commission's consideration of our concerns," PDE President and Founder Nicole Neily said. "OCR began referring our complaints about racially segregated teacher trainings and contract negotiations to the EEOC - so we figured it was more efficient to contact the EEOC directly."
