News Release
4/10/2017
“There is no more time to waste,” say Trustees
Aurora, ON – Today, all York Region District School Board (YRDSB) Trustees responded quickly to a much-anticipated Ministry of Education report on the YRDSB.
The report is the culmination of several months of interviews with Board staff, Trustees, parents, and students, and was initiated at the direction of Ontario’s Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter.
“Message received, loud and clear,” said YRDSB Board Chair Loralea Carruthers, speaking on behalf of all YRDSB Trustees. “We are grateful the Ministry’s report has been released, and would like to thank the Ministry of Education staff for their dedication and professionalism.”
“We have only just received the report ourselves, but as a Board, we have immediately begun discussions on how to implement some of the report’s key recommendations. We have seen within the report some significant errors of fact that we have raised directly with the Minister. In addition, we are seeking clarification on a number of points,” Carruthers added. “That said, we want parents and students to be assured this report will not be ignored in any way, shape or form. Our primary mission has been, and continues to be, the education and well-being of our students.”
YRDSB Trustees have taken action, and firmly commit to taking further action. These actions are as follows:
- We have established committees to immediately deal with racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and Islamophobia.
- We are ceasing international and “jurisdictional travel” immediately for senior staff and Trustees.
- We have met with respected equity experts to commence action to develop and implement a full equity plan.
- We have taken action on a comprehensive equity audit.
- We are hiring an integrity commissioner.
- We have agreed to a tough arm’s-length Trustee assessment process.
- We have committed to a comprehensive equity training strategy.
The recommendations in the Ministry’s report cover a range of issues such as racism, equity, transparency, accountability, as well as the work of senior Board staff and Trustees.
“Throughout this review, we have done our utmost to accommodate and assist Ministry staff, while working towards our common goal of addressing the issues surrounding the culture of YRDSB. We saw this report as an opportunity to develop a more welcoming and inclusive environment for our students, while maintaining the high academic standards our students are well known for,” Carruthers said, speaking on behalf of her Board colleagues.
While the review was still being conducted YRDSB took several steps to show a greater dedication to diversity and respect for the diverse community the Board serves. A monthly public forum for community feedback was reinstated; community working groups have been established to report to Trustees on addressing classism, anti-black racism, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism; and Board meetings now begin with an acknowledgement of traditional Indigenous lands.
“There is no more time to waste,” concluded Carruthers. “Our kids need an education that is the best we can give – and an environment free of bias. We pledge today, unequivocally, to give them that.”
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 123,000 students in 176 elementary schools and 32 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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