Ohio County Schools Could Foot Part of Bill For Diversity Coordinator Position
Joselyn King Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that the salary range for the proposed diversity coordinator position is actually in the $55,000 range, and that the $90,000 listed in the story is the total budget for the position — salary, benefits, supplies, etc.
WHEELING -- The city of Wheeling, the Ohio County Commission and Ohio County Schools have plans to partner on hiring a diversity/inclusion coordinator for the county.
Ohio County Schools Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones presented a copy of the memorandum of understanding between the three governmental entities to each board of education member this week for consideration and a future vote.
"We have been in discussions for about a year with the city and county," Jones said. "They (city leaders) initiated this discussion. They wanted to partner together to share a position between the city, county and school system. We finally got to the point where we are recommending that we participate."
Duties of the position will be education, communication outreach and sensitivity training, as well as working with individual schools and their teachers and staff on diversity-related issues, according to Jones.
He noted the city of Wheeling will pay 50% of the agreed upon salary for the director, with the county and school district each picking up 25%.
Jones estimates the school district's share at $22,500 of a $90,000 annual budget for the post. The actual salary range for the position will be about $55,000, according to city officials.
"I believe we will get a lot of use out of this person," he told board members. "We have been wanting a position like this, and to be able to get all of the services from it at a quarter of the cost is very valuable.
"We have worked through a lot of this with them, and will have access to this person basically whenever we need it."
Board member David Croft asked what the person hired would do for Ohio County Schools that "the school district isn't already doing."
Jones responded that the person would focus on diversity training and conflict resolution.
He added that in the past the school district has consulted Ron Scott Jr., cultural diversity and community outreach director at YWCA Wheeling, when such needs arose.
"It will be a position like that, but it will be shared," Jones explained. "If there's a racial issue, if there's any training to be done post a situation...that person would do that, as well."
Recruiting a more diverse employee base also would fall to the diversity/inclusion coordinator, he added.
Croft noted there is an 18% poverty rate in Ohio County, and he asked if the coordinator also would be looking at economic inclusion.
"I would like to see whoever is in this role take an active role in reaching our middle school kids and getting them involved in something," he continued.
He suggested a push toward career and technical education classes, as well as the "Grow Your Own" teacher-preparedness path at Wheeling Park High School.
Board member Molly Aderholt asked if there was a need to invest in a full-time position rather than contracting out for diversity and inclusion services when needed.
"I don't know if we need a person every single day," Jones responded. "It's quiet for a while, then there's a peak.
"They'll have things to do. But we do have good people who solve 95% of our problems."
The person hired will be a "neutral party" and someone trusted by the community, he added.
The city of Wheeling will handle the job search, and the employee will be based at the City-County Building, Jones said.
Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron stressed the eventual hiring of a diversity/inclusion coordinator is contingent on the approval of the memorandum of understanding by all three entities -- Wheeling City Council, Ohio County commissioners and the Ohio County Board of Education.
Council is set to consider the memorandum at their next meeting on Dec. 6. The commission also meets that day, and the board of education has a scheduled meeting on Dec. 12.
Once all three entities approve, advertising for the position would begin immediately, Herron said. He expects someone then would be hired for the job within 30-60 days.
"We're going to look at somebody who has training in diversity and inclusion, and experience in dealing with different entities," Herron continued. "Hopefully, it will be somebody who has experience in community involvement, and making decisions that come up with regard to inclusion and diversity."
He added the coordinator should be someone "who is passionate about the community," and who has actively promoted diversity and inclusion.
The coordinator would provide guidance to city, county and school district administration, but also would be made available to businesses and organizations seeking to address diversity and inclusion concerns, Herron said.
"This effort among the three entities provides an excellent opportunity to really show the community and the region and state that we are serious about making certain that our communities are as welcoming as possible," he continued.
"This is a positive, and I'm glad we have come to an agreement. I look forward to the implementation of the position."
Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell could not be reached for comment Tuesday.