Hamilton County Schools paid consultant $50,000 over a ten-month period to conduct ‘educators of color’ affinity groups and other raced based training.

A Freedom of Information Request has revealed that Hamilton County Schools paid the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance a sum total of $50,000 for “equity and cultural competence training for principals, managers, and lead mentors” and “Conducting affinity groups, focus groups, professional development and growth for teachers of color” during the 2021-2022 school year.

The district signed two separate contracts with the organization, one for $29,000 effective from September 2021 to December 2021, and a second contract from January 2022 to June 2022. The proposal states that the cost is $150 per hour for an estimated 340 staff hours.

According to the district website, Hamilton County Schools offers affinity groups for “all educators of color in the district.” The purpose of these groups is to “provide an opportunity for educators of color to network, receive support, engage in professional development, and to learn more about upcoming leadership opportunities.”