Peel principal on leave after ‘racist’ comment
Board has already been grappling with rampant racism, dysfunction
The principal of a diverse Brampton high school is on leave after a “xenophobic and racist” comment was made during a virtual staff meeting, the Peel public board says.
The Peel District School Board — already grappling with a damning provincial report that found rampant racism and dysfunction — has hired an external investigator to look into the incident and took the unusual step of issuing a public statement about it on Central Peel Secondary School’s website.
Sources told the Star that during a discussion about an enriched science class, the principal is alleged to have made a comment about students learning to build bombs.
“In a discussion related to the placement of students in regional programs, principal (Julie) DeMaeyer made a comment that was xenophobic and racist,” wrote director of education Peter Joshua. “She immediately recognized that her statement was hurtful and discriminatory and apologized for the remark.”
The comment raises “concerns” given the board’s policies, and it is “our responsibility to provide safe and inclusive places to learn and work,” Joshua said, adding that DeMaeyer is now on home assignment “pending the outcome of an investigation.”
He told the Star the probe should not take more than a few days.
“It won’t be long,” he said in a telephone interview. “I really do understand and appreciate the urgency of this matter” and, once a report is filed, the board will “make some decisions about next steps.”
While Joshua would not comment on possible discipline in this case, he said measures, in general, can range from mandatory training to removal from the school or even dismissal. DeMaeyer could not be reached for comment.
The Peel board has been struggling to address issues of racism — in particular antiBlack racism — as well as dysfunction and divisiveness among senior staff and trustees. Late last year, Education Minister Stephen Lecce sent in three reviewers who issued a scathing report on years of “painful and difficult” incidents that were ignored.
The reviewers also said Islamophobia was a growing concern and they saw French curriculum materials “that were clearly Islamophobic (and) conveyed blatant hostility to the Muslim community.”
Almost one-quarter of all Peel students are Muslim. Brampton trustee David Green said he received a call earlier this week from a Central
Peel staff member who told him her principal made an Islamophobic comment during a virtual staff meeting.
Green said the staff member, who isn’t Muslim, told him, “I am very hurt, very upset and very disappointed that this comment was made.”
“No staff, no student, should have to put up with anything like that,” said Green, who said he is familiar with the school as he coaches its cricket team.
Green said other staff members who attended the meeting corroborated the complaint.
He said he personally spoke with the director and urged him to conduct a “third-party investigation right away.”
According to Green, the principal sent staff an apology letter, saying that she “misspoke.”
At least two staff said the “apology was not good enough,” he said.
Green said it’s hard to restore trust once it’s gone.
“When people lose trust in someone, in my view, I don’t think the working relationship is going to be the same,” Green said.
“And what happens is that trickles down to students. We want to make sure that all students, in every school in Peel, have the best opportunity that they can have in life.
“So they need to be in an environment where they can see the relationships between staff members are strong and supportive.”
Asked about the incident, Lecce said in a statement, “It is abundantly clear that we must continue our work to confront racism, discrimination and xenophobia within our schools. In 2020, our children deserve to learn in an environment that celebrates our differences and unites us around common pluralistic values that define our country.”
The National Council of Canadian Muslims issued a statement Thursday urging DeMaeyer to issue a public apology, via the board, to the school and the local Muslim community.
The council also asked that the board require anti-Islamophobia training for all educators and staff, and create a “Muslim student affairs co-ordinator” to help handle the “everyday concerns of Muslim students and families” within the board.
Joshua said the “work never stops” on equity issues. The board has worked with the Muslim council for several years, he said, and more system-wide training on Islamophobia was already in the works.
“When people lose trust in someone, in my view, I don’t think the working relationship is going to be the same.” DAVID GREEN BRAMPTON TRUSTEE