Tonight is the @PeelSchools Board meeting. Meeting supposed to start at 7:30 pm, with lots of people having arrived early. Great to see lots of community advocates present! Got media is here too including @ShreeParadkar #antiBlackracism
.@ShreeParadkar wrote about @PeelSchools
sending a letter stating that a community advocate cannot attend tonight's meeting. My reading of the Bylaws doesn't end up with the same conclusion. Hmm thestar.com/amp/opinion/st…
sending a letter stating that a community advocate cannot attend tonight's meeting. My reading of the Bylaws doesn't end up with the same conclusion. Hmm thestar.com/amp/opinion/st…
After the land acknowledgment and national anthem, Chair MacDonald shares that he wants to make some remarks. In relation to last meeting, he says that the police responded to a request for support after a Trustee Colleague Trustee Green, from what we heard on audio) felt unsafe.
The Chair says that because it is an active investigation, he cannot comment. He said that while there were rumours that the police were called in response to staff, but that is not the case. He says he can "appreciate" that police presence can feel/be intimidating.
Chair apologized "for the negative impact" of having police present. During his comments, there were rumbles from the audience, and some laughter.
Gratitude to @PoBCAdvocate for posting a video of Chair MacDonald's comments.
Before delegations, Chair MacDonald talks about the rules of delegations. He references Bylaw G. Remember this is what was named in barring Idris Orughu from attending tonight. The easiest way to read these bylaws is on page 2 of the form: peelschools.org/trustees/deleg…
There's a good turnout at this meeting, and ALL of the folks here had to show ID to get in.
Delegation from Dr. Tope Adefarakan who starts with "Trust is quite broken between Board and a Black community." A group of folks have come to stand behind the delegate. Many wearing t-shirts that say "Police District School Board"
The delegation includes several demands:
1) A 3rd party needs to be hired to facilitate dialogue between the Black community & Board.
2) Once the Minister's review report is released, who is going to be held accountable for the harm detailed?
3) Removal of SROs from schools ...
1) A 3rd party needs to be hired to facilitate dialogue between the Black community & Board.
2) Once the Minister's review report is released, who is going to be held accountable for the harm detailed?
3) Removal of SROs from schools ...
... and a reintroduction of the motion a Trustee (@NokhaDakroub) tried to bring forward last meeting.
4) Race-based data: collection of this data, access to this data, the ability to use this data
5) Dedicated school for Black students, an Africentric school in @PeelSchools
4) Race-based data: collection of this data, access to this data, the ability to use this data
5) Dedicated school for Black students, an Africentric school in @PeelSchools
"Black students matter!" The audience joins in, and also breaks into applause. 
After delegation, @NokhaDakroub says she would be happy to reintroduce the motion. She tries to bring up trespass letter, to which Chair MacDonald says "We can't talk about that!" Trustee Dakroub responds "It's in the @TorontoStar !" Still no. Convo will happen in question period
Trustee Marchant asks about models for Africentric schools - the Dr. responds with stats and success from our Toronto: @TdsbAfricentric
.@davidgreen91 says he is disturbed by one thing mentioned by the Dr during the delegation: a student activity during #BHM that referenced a song "Where is your father" (honestly, wtf), and says he would offer to meet with the Dr to discuss. The response: this is not new!
(note that I didn't live tweet the motion from Trustee Crocker regarding letter to Minister of Education requesting retaining funding levels for assessment and mental health services; or the related discussion)
Now hearing from @TrusteeMcDonald with a motion regarding video recording and live streaming of public Regular Meetings of the Board. It's 2020, and this is needed! "Bring the public into public education!"
.@NokhaDakroub supports the motion - "we are an interesting bunch... There are people who would want to participate, but for some reason, can't. Let's make the public process accessible!"
It was really great that @TrusteeMcDonald grounded the motion in the need for transparency, including the fact that a lot is lost without video (including eyerolls, shrugs). And I think it'll help keep the Board and @PDSB_Director accountable.
Interesting response - Trustee Davies (yes, that Trustee Davies) suggests that this item be referred to the Governance Committee. The Chair does not find someone the second. Asks 2, 3, 4 times. Finally Trustee Benjamin says she will second.
This elicits responses: @NokhaDakroub highlights that Trustees get additional $ for every additional committee meeting (audience responds loudly!). Trustee Marchant says that this isn't a governance issue, it's an accessibility issue.
Now quite a bit of discussion: Trustee Crocker asks who will be recorded (he has no desire to see himself on video), Communications Director weighs in to say it is feasible, has been tested and will not cost anything further. Vote: motion passes, 7-3. The Chair voted no.
What does it mean that the Chair of the @PeelSchools does not want to have Board meetings video recorded + livestreamed ??
Next motion being presented by @TrusteeMcDonald regarding minutes of Regular Meetings of the Board. This would be to include additional info in minutes. Trustee Davies asks if this would require a change to the Bylaws (answer is yes), asks that it be moved to Governance Committee
The motion to defer to Governance Committee is seconded by @davidgreen91 - response by @NokhaDakroub begins with a note that she doesn't dislike committees, just that work going to committees needs to be meaningful! "If you know how you are going to vote, don't defer!"
Part of @TrusteeMcDonald introducing the motion included recitation of a powerful poem (someone fill me in on the name of the @PeelSchools educator who wrote it?). @PoBCAdvocate recorded it
Lots of governance process discussion, including the Board Recorder weighing in to say that the Bylaw change must be presented to a meeting first. I'm a policy governance nerd, but I feel stifled by the way this is unfolding.
Motion to refer to Governance Committee has passed, 7 voted in favour, 2 against. Those of us interested in having the Board meeting minutes be more detailed will just need to wait and see! Many thanks to @TrusteeMcDonald and @NokhaDakroub - looking forward to updates in future
Next up: Trustee Sohi brings forward a motion to review of English as a Second Language/English Language Learner program. YES! The streaming of racialized students (including Canadian-born, those who don't speak languages other than English) into ESL is a long-standing problem
Community members & activists know that this "streaming" is a serious problem. I have friends who experienced this when they were @PeelSchools students. The racist assumption that all racialized students are immigrants who don't have language proficiency is a problem
Appreciative of the Student Trustees (Nar & Arora) for weighing in on this issue as well - Ponting to the stigma, labeling, and the urgent need for a review of the ESL program!
Voting on Trustee Sohi's motion: passed, unanimously! Hope the review process is thorough!
Motion being put forward to postpone the next Board meeting (March 24). @davidgreen91 put this forward, and it passes. This is due to the Ministry Review, and the significant amount of work they have to do.
Now a 5 minute recess
Now a 5 minute recess
It's 10 pm and there are several items left on the agenda. Agenda item 11 onwards
We are in the Questions from Board Members item. We are discussing the trespass letters. @NokhaDakroub asks a question about whether "the Board" refers to the Board of Trustees. @PDSB_Director answers stating that there are a number of operational items where he would sign off.
The question still remains about letters from the Board - Chair MacDonald says in the case of the trespass letter (read article by @ShreeParadkar in @TorontoStar) it will need to discussed by Committee.
Great question from @TrusteeMcDonald to @PDSB_Director "what's the responsibility to inform Trustees?" Trustees found out about the trespass letter in media, and then having constituents raise it. This is a huge flag re:the relationship between Director and Board.
More to say on governance later. But question period has started, and the first speaker has started strong - as a Black educator working with Black students, she highlights need for the Board to take action on anti-Black racism, and asks what each Trustee will do to take action
Next question is about cuts to French Immersion, which an educator and parent learned about through the media! Chair responds that they didn't have actually enough teachers, and that there is a review happening currently.
.@AndreaVasquezJ from @LAENToronto asks about removing SROs from schools in Peel, specifically whether the Board will implement a Human Rights framework that will create safety for all students. Andrea provided a lot of insightful info about the fight, and what's needed!
A parent, Sharon, asks powerful questions about the Board's capacity in anti-racism, equity and inclusion. There was a lot of back and forth between the Chair and Sharon - defensiveness for sure. Yikes. I'll try to share video or audio if it exists!
I asked a question to the Chair about #InclusiveGovernance, really and truly trying to to create an opportunity for the Chair to be self-reflective. He missed this opportunity by not even trying to get grounded. Thanks @TrusteeMcDonald for pushing for me to get to talk!
Meeting over!
Unroll please!
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