A school district in California is facing demands for a federal investigation into its hiring practices amid accusations of racial discrimination under the guise of “equity” policies.
Parents Defending Education (PDE) has called out the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District, located near Silicon Valley, for allegedly engaging in discriminatory practices in an effort to hire “diverse” candidates. In a letter to the Director and Regional Attorney of the San Jose Local Office of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, PDE stated, “La Honda-Prescadero cannot discriminate based on their race when hiring or making other employment decisions. We ask that your office promptly investigate the allegations in this complaint, act swiftly to remedy unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief.”
PDE highlighted several district documents that emphasize its “equity” approach to hiring. One such document outlined a goal to increase workforce diversity, stating “By June 2024, district and site staff shall fully implement the LHPUSD hiring policy and achieve an increase in the diversity of the workforce in at least 75% of new hires.”
Another document titled “Hiring and Retaining a Diverse Staff 2024-2025” listed strategies for attracting diverse candidates, including advising hiring personnel to prioritize diversity messaging and to track candidate demographics throughout the hiring process. One recommendation suggested emphasizing “experience in lieu of a degree” to expand the applicant pool to include those without college degrees.
These documents surfaced after the district paid $19,500 for an equity audit conducted by an outside group, according to the Daily Wire. The audit noted that the district “had room to improve how they recruit educators of color to increase the diversification of staff.”
“Research supports the importance of encouraging racially diverse candidates to remain in districts at proportional rates and provide them with equitable opportunities to progress upwards in the organization,” the audit claimed.
In response to this revelation, PDE has argued that these practices could violate federal law and has requested an investigation.
“PDE makes this investigation request as an interested third-party organization with members who are parents of school children throughout the country,” the organization said. “PDE and its members oppose racial discrimination and political indoctrination in America’s schools.”
This piece first appeared at TPUSA.
