Education Minister Mitzie Hunter is stepping in amid allegations that systemic discrimination is not being taken seriously at the York Region District School Board.
In a detailed letter sent to the board Tuesday, Hunter says she has “serious concerns” after receiving “a growing number of letters and calls for action from individuals and groups who feel there is systemic racism that is not being adequately addressed within the board.”
The letter follows public allegations by Cecil Roach, the board’s head of equity, that there is a prevailing notion at the board that equity is a mere “distraction.” In particular, Roach said he was sidelined in the board’s handling of Islamophobic Facebook posts by a Markham principal, despite the fact that the director of education publicly stated that the matter was being investigated.
Hunter met with YRDSB Chair Anna DeBartolo and Director of Education Philip Parappally on Nov. 10, days before Roach’s letter, in order to discuss both growing concerns over international travel spending by trustees and the board’s response to the community concerning its investigation into the Islamophobic Facebook posts.
In her letter Tuesday, Hunter says that while DeBartolo and Parappally acknowledged when they met that there is work to be done, the situation has still not been resolved.
“I continue to have concerns and, therefore, am making a specific request for information about the current issues and plans for how the board will move forward to address and resolve them,” Hunter writes. “Our meeting and this letter are a first step in my engagement with you to ensure that public confidence in the board is restored.”
In particular, Hunter asks the board to articulate its process for investigating and resolving incidents such as the Islamaphobic Facebook posts.
“The community has voiced particular concerns over the transparency of this process and seeks clarity of what are the acceptable standards of behavior in these circumstances,” Hunter writes. “What will you do to appropriately respond to this community and the public?”
Hunter says she expects a detailed response and action plan from the board no later than Jan. 13.
In response, YRDSB board chair Anna DeBartolo wrote in a statement released Tuesday that she “welcomes” the opportunity to show Hunter the board’s action plan.
“As with the previous discussion, we welcome the opportunity to articulate, in writing, all the work we have done to date to address the issues raised and the action plan going forward.” DeBartolo wrote. “Our Region is one of the most diverse in the country, and we remain committed to equity and creating learning environments that are accepting, safe and welcoming for all students and staff members.”
In a lawyered letter last week, Roach cited numerous examples where he felt the board had responded insufficiently or inappropriately to equity issues. They included allegations that he was met with “anger and loud accusations” after raising concerns about racial slurs directed at a black student; that the board’s policy on religious accommodation was removed from student agendas without consulting him; and that a planned three-day equity course for staff was cancelled despite his objections.
In a response last week, Parappally said that the board takes the concerns seriously and will continue its commitment to “equity as a foundational practice.”
