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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Hamilton County school board to consider rescinding educator diversity policy

Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / Hamilton Couny school board member Felice Hadden, R-Ooltewah, speaks during a board meeting. The Hamilton County school board is expected to consider rescinding its educator diversity policy.
Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / Hamilton Couny school board member Felice Hadden, R-Ooltewah, speaks during a board meeting. The Hamilton County school board is expected to consider rescinding its educator diversity policy. Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / Hamilton Couny school board member Felice Hadden, R-Ooltewah, speaks during a board meeting. The Hamilton County school board is expected to consider rescinding its educator diversity policy.

Hamilton County school board members are expected to consider rescinding their educator diversity policy.

The policy, which the board first adopted in 2021, defines educator diversity as a teacher workforce that “reflects a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, language, socioeconomic backgrounds and pathways into the profession.”

It states that the school board is committed to educator diversity and directs district officials to take several steps to support inclusive educator recruitment and retention efforts.

On Thursday, the school board’s agenda included a fully red-lined copy of the policy. School board member Felice Hadden, R-Ooltewah, made a motion at the start of the meeting to delay any potential vote on the changes to a later meeting.

(READ MORE: 15 candidates vying for five Hamilton County school board seats)