Bill > A01049

This bill requires school districts to appoint a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, typically an administrative employee selected by the school district's superintendent. The DEI Officer's primary responsibilities include developing methods to diversify school district personnel, with a specific focus on increasing racial and ethnic diversity among teachers. The officer will be tasked with annually reviewing racial and ethnic disparities within the district, encouraging recruitment and retention of diverse staff, and recommending policy changes to reduce hiring disparities. Each DEI Officer must publish an annual public report detailing the district's plans, processes, and progress in hiring and retaining educators of color. Additionally, local boards of education will be required to prepare response reports to the DEI Officer's annual report and submit these to the state Department of Education. The Commissioner of Education will then compile these reports into an annual statewide report to be submitted to the legislature. The bill aims to systematically address racial representation gaps in school district employment, particularly in teaching positions, by creating a structured approach to tracking and improving diversity efforts.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1049