Changes to Peel Board brings hope and faith

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is much anticipation and expectation as many await the report of the investigator appointed by the Minister of Education Stephen Leece.

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) initiated steps to ensure that it fulfils the 27 ministerial directives that it received from the Minister on March 13^th, 2020. There is much hope and optimism. The PDSB has made it known that it is determined to ensure that all the directives are satisfied within the timelines set by the Minister of Education.

The Director of PDSB, Peter Joshua is exercising leadership to ensure full compliance. He wrote a letter on May 4^th, 2020 in which he outlined specific steps that he would be undertaking. With respect to the disproportionate number of black youths, especially those who face suspensions, expulsions, exclusion and streaming, he has indicated that there will be a termination of all suspensions and expulsions of students from Kindergarten to Grade three. Students who are in other grades will have to abide by the Ministry’s definitions/incident codes.

To streamline this process, it will be necessary that a principal or vice-principal make every effort to have contact with the student if possible and the student’s parent(s), and/or guardian.

It is important that teachers explore other issues that are reflected of student’s background. If for any reason the administrators believe that certain courses of action need to be taken, it is important that the student(s), patent(s)/guardian(s) be informed within 24 hours. There will be a letter (hard copy or electronic) that will be sent to notify the above, which will have specific details with respect to the basis of the suspension.

To deal with the contentious issue of de-streaming, the Director has indicated that the board will ensure that a steaming pilot project be put in place for grades 9-10 for the 2021-22 school year. This initiative is intended to minimize and negate the pervasive and destructive impact of anti-black racism that narrows the educational choices of black students. The PDSB will select two secondary schools to participate in these projects using a strategic response that is reflective of census data.

In order to fulfil the ministerial directives (with respect to making the board transparent and accountable by implementing an annual accountability plan), the Director has indicated this would be done .He wrote in the letter, “We will establish accountability measures and responsibilities for schools and senior board leadership, we will reach out to the community regularly to assess our progress and make any necessary adjustments.” The first progress report will be issued by June 1^st, 2020 and the Report Card by January 31^st, 2021.

There is work being done with respect to consultation and development of the board’s anti-racism policy. They have established a steering committee involving internal and external experts that will guide the police’s development and implementation. In addition, a Superintendent of Equity will be hired after the establishment of a new equity office by June 1^st, 2020. In this role the individual will provide leadership with respect to equity issues by hiring outreach workers and extra equity leads.

The Director indicated in his letter that four graduation coaches will be hired to support 13 to 18 year olds in secondary schools to ensure that they are actively involved in accomplishing their learning goals and to help maximize their academic potential. They will play multiple roles as: student mentors, advisors, and advocates for individual learners with other stakeholders to help them identify and overcome systemic barriers. Doing this creates a positive space to enhance their: voice, identity, and self-esteem. They will be able to overcome white privilege and lack of competence to achieve their full potential.

There is considerable focus on the PDSB as it awaits the investigator’s report to the Minister of Education on or before May 18^th, 2020. Minister Stephen Leece indicated that he had suspended the complaint process, “Pertaining to trustees’ code of conduct and is on the process of hiring an additional integrity commissioner as requested.”