Minister to meet York board over concerns about racism
Ontario’s education minister wants to get to the bottom of what’s going on at the York Region school board, following months of accusations that officials there aren’t properly dealing with allegations of racism or Islamophobia.
Mitzie Hunter says she will soon meet with director J. Philip Parappally and other leaders at the troubled board to find out how it is dealing with families’ many concerns.
News of the move comes a day after an open letter — signed by 141 community leaders as well as the Ontario Federation of Labour — urged Hunter to take action, and also on the heels of numerous stories in the Star detailing parents’ complaints.
“I actually will be meeting with the leadership of the York Region District School Board in the coming days,” Hunter said at Queen’s Park.
“It’s very important to me and it’s very important to parents to know that issues of racism are not tolerated in our schools. We want all of our schools to be inclusive and safe places for student well-being and student learning.
“This is something that’s very important to me. The transparency and how boards work with parents and work with the community are also very important.”
Hunter said she plans to address the recent case of a principal who posted material on her public Facebook account that some consider Islamophobic.
“I will be speaking about this issue,” she said of the questionable postings. “This is a very important issue, it’s of concern (in) the community and this is something that we will discuss.”
York board spokesperson Licinio Miguelo said that when Hunter took over the education portfolio, “we requested a meeting ... to provide general updates on key initiatives and priorities of the (board).
“We welcome an opportunity to meet with the minister and provide her directly with an update,” Miguelo said.
He didn’t respond to questions about the specific purpose of the meeting.
Parent Charline Grant — who is awaiting a human rights hearing on her complaints that her son was discriminated against at his high school — said the education minister’s move “will at least open up a conversation” about what’s going on.
“The board has a shoulder-shrug personality — they think they are untouchable,” she said.
“They are very frustrating to deal with. You get no answers. There’s no one they feel they have to answer to.”
Hunter also said she will broach the issue of trustee transparency, after revelations that two elected officials travelled to Finland on the taxpayers’ dime for the second and even third time, for unclear purposes.
Parappally and board chair Anna DeBartolo also recently visited Holland, a trip board insiders said was kept under wraps.
Markham parent Rukshan Para, who has been calling more for transparency from the board and more trustee oversight, also welcomed news of the minister’s meeting.
“I’m happy the province is stepping in, because this was a board that was the model board for so long,” said Para, who ran for trustee in 2014 and is considering another run in 2018. “And I know many parents feel like that’s completely gone.
Two York trustees have also questioned whether proper procedures were followed in the case of principal Ghada Sadaka, who parents say continues to work at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School in Markham.
In September, the board said it was investigating after becoming aware of postings on Sadaka’s Facebook page.
No one — including the complainant — was informed about what the probe entailed, and what if any disciplinary action was taken.
The board has said it cannot discuss personnel matters publicly.