‘This is very powerful and it’s very important that we acknowledge the systematic racism. I think it’s important to say it out loud,’ says SCDSB trustee
The local public school board recognized that systemic anti-Black racism exists in its schools nearly five months after an advocacy group requested such acknowledgment.
The Simcoe County District School Board did this during a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
“The SCDSB acknowledges the structural and systemic nature of anti-Black racism and discrimination in education,” notes the preamble of a board report on systemic racism received by trustees at their Oct. 20 meeting.
“The board recognizes that Black students and staff have historically faced, and continue to face, barriers to equity and inclusion, due to deeply rooted racial biases and discriminatory practices.”
“SCDSB staff are committed to actively addressing and dismantling anti-Black racism and discrimination within SCDSB schools, policies, and practices. The SCDSB will engage the Black community, students, staff, and families in shaping educational experiences and outcomes,” it states.
Back in May, the advocacy group Parents Against Racism Simcoe County urged the board to formally respond to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Dreams Delayed report released in March. This report explored anti-Black racism in schools across Ontario through a two-year study. Simcoe County public board trustees passed a motion in June calling for a detailed plan from board staff addressing the recommendations made in the report at both school and board levels.
At that time, Parents Against Racism Simcoe County called for formal recognition that anti-Black racism exists within the system. On Wednesday, that request was fulfilled.
“This is very powerful and it’s very important that we acknowledge the systematic racism. I think it’s important to say it out loud,” said Adjala-Tosorontio/Clearview/CFB Borden/Essa trustee Brandy Rafeek on Wednesday. “There’s a big difference between recognizing racism coming from a person, and systematic racism as we’re discussing here.”
“It’s not anything any individual at this board has specifically done. It is the system we have built over many, many years,” she explained.
The Dreams Delayed report included 29 calls to action such as acknowledging anti-Black racism by school boards, expanding the Black graduation coach program, updating complaint procedures, and creating better communication strategies regarding human rights.
Wednesday’s SCDSB report features a fact sheet detailing various programs and services added over recent years aimed at better supporting Black students and staff. This includes launching their human rights and equity office in 2022, establishing Black Student Associations at 13 high schools, hosting two conferences for Black students, and hiring four graduation coaches for Black students.
The board’s Black graduation coaches supported 388 students during the 2024/25 school year.
All educators at the board’s 104 schools completed the Dreams Delayed three-part learning series; many also took an additional course focused on anti-Black racism.
The human rights and equity office created formal advisories for all educators and students about prohibiting use of the n-word; its use violates student conduct codes barring educators or students from using it under any circumstances.
The board also recently hired its first-ever Afro-Indigenous graduation coach.
“Together these actions demonstrate a sustained effort across our system to make our board a place where all students-especially Black students-can thrive,” said superintendent of education Matthew Webbe during his presentation to trustees on Wednesday. “Our collective efforts as a community remain focused on ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and supported in every SCDSB school.”
Barrie trustee and vice chair Lynn Strachan thanked presenters for placing this acknowledgment at the start of their presentation.
“I think that’s very meaningful,” said Strachan.
New Tecumseth trustee Sarah Beitz asked if this could be posted on SCDSB’s website.
Strachan suggested linking the board’s actions regarding equity more clearly with recommendations from Dreams Delayed through improved communication strategies; she highlighted how one recommendation was about hiring more guidance counselors while SCDSB has brought on Black graduation coaches instead.
“Not everyone will connect those dots knowing they’re directly related,” she mentioned. “We’ve started work in many of these areas.”
Ahead regarding next steps noted in the report is that the school’s human rights and equity office will hold community consultation sessions engaging with Black students staff and families this Spring.
The feedback gathered from those consultations will guide future planning by the board.
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