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EAST METRQ: Diversity coordinatars settling in at schaols TwinCities.corn Posted on Man, Oct. 21, Z002 Page 1 af 2 ' i l " ` �,� EAST METR4: Diversi�y coordinators settling in at schoois BY NATALIE Y_ MpDRE Pioneer Press People ask Tania Chance why her new diversity coordinator position is needed in White Bear Lake schools when the minority student populat+on hovers around 7 percent. She tries to answer in a global sense. "It's for al! students to be competent in this diverse world," Chance said. School districts throughout the East Metro have recently hired diversity coordinators charged with e�suring inclusi�e curricula and creating a welcoming space for all. Many �ame on board this year. But some taxpayers are scratching their heads: Why are districts, many of them gaing to voters hat in hand this fall, spending preciaus maney on a new program, a new employee? The answer, say school officials, is that diversity coordinators are not paid through a distritt's general fund but rather through earmarked state desegregatian dolfars. But even that answer doesn't sit well with some taxpayers. "To me, that money the state is spending on this cultural coordinator position could be spent on something eEse that is much more important," said Bob Kingdon, of Roseviile. "I don't think the state or school districts or anybody else should be imposing these phony programs." DIVERSITY MONIES SACRED State law daesn't allow diversity funding to be used to buy mare textbooks or to rehire a beloved teacher if a district finds itself in fnancial skraits. "The revenue can only be used for activities that suppart integrated learning environments," said Barbara Zahn, acting director of the state education department's o�ce of equity. The state doesn't have the power to teil distiricts how to spend the money, but school ofFi�ials must prove to the bepartment of Children, Families ancf Learning that the funds are used solely for diversity programs. Suburban districts can receive up to $130 per stt�dent from the state, depending on the size of their minority student enrollment. Local diversity coordinators have a relationship with the Eask Metro I�tegration District, a consortiurr� of St. Paul schools and nine suburban district neighbors. EMID began 13 years ago when urban and suburban kids were brought together in immersion programs as a way to fight segregation. The voluntary collaboration has matured and leaders figured schools needed to develop strategies within their own districts. The first- and second-ring suburban districts that comprise EMID are vastly different. West St. Paul- http://www. twincities. com/ml ci/pioneerpress/living/educ ation/43 29849.htm?temp late=co... 10/21/2002