Darien Public Schools budgets $45,000 for California-based diversity consultant who co-authored essay titled, “Grading is Capitalist, Racist, and Exploitative”

In November, 2021, the Darien Public School District in Connecticut announced plans to hire California-based diversity consultant, Ken Shelton, to conduct an equity audit and provide training for the district. Superintendent Alan Addley advocated for the hiring of this specific consultant leaving some board members curious as to why they were not given the opportunity to interview other candidates. Members of the public that contacted us at PDE express concerns that this was a no-bid contract.

Initial reporting by the Darien Times in November had the budgeted amount at $56,000 but more recent reporting on the proposed 2022-2023 budget has it listed at $45,000.

On his website, Shelton describes the various workshops he holds on topics including “Educational Technology, Equity and Inclusion, Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist, Multimedia Literacy, Cultural Intelligences, Visual Storytelling, and Instructional Design topics.”

Some of Shelton’s other previous work includes a Medium essay entitled “Grading is Capitalist, Racist, and Exploitative”:

Shelton’s first meeting with the district DEI committee in Darien was on February 28th:

For further info on the district’s plans:

• First diversity consultant for Darien’s schools outlines approach, addresses parent concerns
• Darien schools work to change culture, climate with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
• Darien parents, board members sound off on Open Choice program, diversity consultant
• Shelton Medium Post
• Diversity consultant divides Darien parents, school board members: ‘Destructive’ or ‘inclusive’?