The O’Keefe Media Group (OMG) released undercover footage of Jonathan Ferrer, the Human Resources Director at Summit Public Schools—a charter network operating in California and Washington—admitting to making hiring decisions based on race and political ideology.
In the video, Ferrer states, “You get presented with, on equal merits, like a white person or a black person or whatever. Yeah, we’re going with the black person,” suggesting that race plays a decisive role in hiring choices. He further explains that the school system’s hiring practices are influenced by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals, aiming to align staff demographics with the cultural needs of the student body.
“Whenever there’s a qualified candidate and they happen to identify differently or present differently, we’re probably going with that person… That’s what DEI is all about,” Ferrer added.
Ferrer also mentions that Summit Public Schools incorporates DEI-focused interview questions to assess candidates’ political and ideological alignment. When asked about hiring supporters of former President Donald Trump, he responds, “I don’t think we would hire them,” indicating a potential bias against certain political affiliations.
These admissions raise concerns regarding compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), both of which prohibit employment decisions based on race or political beliefs.
In response to the video, Valeria Torres, Government Affairs Manager for Summit Public Schools, issued a statement emphasizing the organization’s commitment to equal opportunity employment and adherence to all applicable laws. “At Summit Public Schools, we’re committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a team that is free from discriminatory conduct in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. We expect each and every employee, including our Human Resources team, to uphold our commitment. Any allegations of discriminatory conduct or verified misconduct are taken seriously and addressed through established internal procedures,” Torres stated.
The release of this footage has sparked a broader discussion on the role of DEI initiatives in hiring practices and the importance of ensuring that such programs comply with existing anti-discrimination laws.
