School Committee member at Newton Public Schools appears to explain that “equity” is providing resources to students based on their race

On February 16, 2023, the School Committee members of Newton Public Schools interviewed a possible candidate to be the next superintendent of the district. At one point, the interviewee asked the School Committee members to define what the terms “excellence and equity” mean to them. [Time Stamp: 1:45:40] In her answer, School Committee member Tamika Olszewski appeared to explain that “equity” is providing differing resources to students based on their race. She stated in the interview:

I fully expect that our schools – this is the equity piece – will look at someone who looks like my children and give them what they need. They’ll look at someone who looks different from my children and give that child exactly what they need. And I reject the idea that that is a political construct. [Time Stamp: 1:55:35]