Public apology by Peel Board; a new season of renewed hope, pursuit of equity and inclusion

BY PAUL JUNOR

The decision by the Peel District School Board (PDSB) to issue a public apology was a welcome move to heal the broken trust and relationship with the black community.

The board released a statement on April 16^th, 2020, which came after the Wednesday, April 15^th, 2020 board meeting. “The Board and Trustees offer our sincere apologies to students, staff, families and the school community at large for other decisions we have made that have negatively impacted students learning and well -being, as well as staff wellness.”

This apology was the first public acknowledgement by PDSB of the damage that has been done to the black community in Peel. The board which has a total of 153,000 students covers Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon and represents different racial ethnicities and backgrounds.

It was in November 2019 that the ministry review was launched after the racist remark by Brampton trustee Will David who called McCrimmon Middle School,”McCrimmal”. Even though the integrity commissioner exonerated him because he made the statement privately, the black community did not take this lightly. Many were incensed by this disparaging remark and expressed it vocally at Board meetings.

In the released statement, the PDSB takes responsibility for the harm that was done. It notes,

“Over the past several months, during our execution of duties and stated roles as trustees of the PDSB, debates, discussions and conversations have taken place, and decisions made which have caused hurt and harm for members of the black community, both those who live in Peel and others who live outside of Peel. This includes the mishandling of circumstances around the disparaging comment made by a trustee about McCrimmon Middle School. For this, the Board is truly sorry.”

In addition, to this apology, the Board has accepted the findings of anti-black racism as an aspect of systemic racism.

“Institutional racism and racism that is embedded in the organizational culture. It can be embedded in written policies, procedures, and practices that create barriers to the hiring, advancement and full inclusion of radicalized employees in the workplace. It acknowledges that systemic racism exists. We must do all we can to eliminate the marginalization experienced of black students and staff in Peel schools. As Trustees, we are required to listen and do a better job addressing incidents of anti-black racism and other instances of discrimination” (Voices of Ontario Black Educators, 2015).

The Board and Trustees have committed to working against all issues of racism so that such incidents do not happen again. In the light of what is required to effect fundamental and structural changes they have indicated that they are willing to follow through by engaging in anti-racist and anti-Bush training. They note that,

“As Trustees, we are committed to undergoing anti-Bush awareness training to understand and examine our individual bias. We look forward to working together with: the director, senior administration, staff, students families and our community to strengthen our commitment to addressing anti-black racism and all forms of discrimination. Our Board remains committed to championing equity as inclusion and to creating and maintaining spaces, where all students, staff, families and community members feel, safe, respected, welcome and included.”

The apology to the black community is a positive step in the right direction. The eyes of all stakeholders will be on the Board to ensure that they are held accountable and responsible for their actions.

We enter a new season of renewed hope, pursuit of equity and inclusion and open, free and deep building.