A new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Director (DEIJ) was hired in SAU16 in Exeter, New Hampshire, at a lucrative salary. His background is in community organizing. Let’s take a look at his background and what he will do to help students. (or not help them).
Andres Mejia is described as a black, Latinx, bisexual, cisman and was hired to work as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Director. His resume includes working as the Program Director for NH Listens – Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. This is a community organizing group. I know; I’ve sat through their listening sessions in the past. I have seen the group manipulation techniques used to gain consensus that had a predetermined outcome.
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How much does this position pay? $95,000.00/year. In addition to this lucrative salary, the DEIJ Director’s contract includes other perks that even teachers do not receive. Here are a few examples according to his contract.
- The position does not require DOE certification or eligibility.
- Tuition reimbursement for up to 12 graduate credits at UNH course rates, with up to $1,500 contribution to the 403(b) if this benefit is not exercised – no minimum grade achieved for reimbursement; (by contrast, teachers currently get up to 12 hours at UNH rate but must achieve a B or higher for reimbursement, and can only take 1 class per session without prior approval. New hires cannot use tuition reimbursement during the first half of the year, and if they use it during the second half, they have to commit to staying in SAU 16 for an additional year or forfeit the reimbursement).
- Medical insurance is covered at 90% of the premium plan or 95% of the HMO plan, and there is a $1,500 buy-out option (By contrast, teachers get 76 % coverage of the premium plan or 86% of the HMO and only a $500 buy out).
- Life insurance – 100% of $250k term premium (teachers get a $40k term policy covered).
- $1,000 contribution to either a 403(b), 457, or Health Reimbursement Account (teachers get 0).
- Vehicle allowance of $360 per month for mileage reimbursement (teachers get 0, and at the IRS mileage rate, this equates to over 600 miles per month).
- $50 towards cell phone bill per month (teachers get 0)
- $3,000 for leading workshops or training outside of normal business hours
- Uncapped reimbursement for professional development activities and attendance at national, regional, or state events (with Superintendent approval)
- Dues to any professional associations that are deemed appropriate by the Director and Superintendent.
According to the ad for the position, the candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in human relations, ethnic studies, sociology, or other social impact disciplines. Master’s preferred. They will work 8 hours a day for 260 days. (includes paid vacation and holidays)
He will receive 25 days of vacation leave and 15 days of sick leave per year. There are 3 personal days and 3 days for bereavement. He will be paid for all holidays during the year too.
What a jackpot for a community organizer that will do nothing to help the students in the SAU learn any of the academic content.
*What about all of those kids who struggled at home under the disaster known as “remote learning?” TOO BAD.
*What about the kids with IEPs or special needs who are behind? TOO BAD.
*What about the parents who may be paying tutors to help their kids catch up? TOO BAD.
*What about the teachers that parents value and made that obvious in their fight to get their kids back in school? Shouldn’t they be rewarded? TOO BAD.
I’m already hearing from teachers about this latest scam on taxpayers. Many of them wanted to be in the classroom teaching last year and understood the problems families were facing in SAU16. How does this new hire show that this administration values the teachers when they hire a community organizer and offer a compensation package like this?
Here is one comment from a parent: $100k for a made-up, nonsense position. A position that will provide zero education and zero value.
SAU16 is so far off the path of academic excellence that it now shows up in school rankings. The middle school now ranks at #38 in the state out of 128, and the high school now ranks at #13 and is declining.
Maybe there is a good reason to teach children the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Shouldn’t that be explained to the residents paying this bill? What is so bad in SAU16 that this position was needed? Is there a problem among the staff? Is there a problem among the students– a problem that is so pervasive that the academics are pushed aside in an effort to bring in a new and controversial radical racial agenda? Doesn’t this tell the teachers, they are not as valued as the person who holds this position?
There may be a need to bring in an expert from time to time. They may need to pay that expert a lucrative salary too. But in this case, nothing has been presented to the community that shows this position is needed –especially given the poor quality of education many of the students received under remote learning.
Where is the focus on academic excellence? That appears to no longer be a priority under this leadership. TOO BAD.
