Bill > S05088

This bill requires school districts to appoint a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) officer, who will be responsible for developing methods to diversify school district personnel, with a particular focus on increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of teaching staff. The DEI officer, who will be an administrative employee appointed by the superintendent, must annually review racial and ethnic disparities within the school district, encourage and assist in recruiting and retaining a more diverse staff, and recommend changes to district policies and practices to reduce hiring disparities. The officer is also mandated to publish an annual public report detailing the district's plans, processes, and progress in hiring and retaining educators of color. Additionally, the bill requires local boards of education to prepare and submit response reports to the state Department of Education, and further requires the Commissioner of Education to compile an annual statewide report on these efforts to be submitted to the legislature. These provisions aim to increase representation and address racial disparities in school district hiring practices, particularly for teaching positions.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5088