‘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 has recognized that systemic anti-Black racism exists within its schools, nearly five months after an advocacy group made a request for this acknowledgment.
This declaration by the Simcoe County District School Board took place during a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
“The SCDSB acknowledges the structural and systemic nature of anti-Black racism and discrimination in education,” states the preamble of a report on systemic racism presented to 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 adds.
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 examined anti-Black racism in schools across Ontario based on a two-year study. In June, Simcoe County public board trustees approved a motion requesting a comprehensive plan from board staff addressing the recommendations outlined in the report at both school and board levels.
At that time, Parents Against Racism Simcoe County called for formal recognition of anti-Black racism within the system. On Wednesday, this 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 years,” she stated.
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 improving communication strategies related to 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. These include 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 assisted 388 students during the 2024/25 school year.
All educators across the board’s 104 schools completed a three-part learning series based on Dreams Delayed. Many educators also took an additional course focused on anti-Black racism.
The human rights and equity office provided formal guidance about prohibiting use of the n-word among all educators and students within the board, stating its usage violates student conduct codes barring educators or students from using it under any circumstances.
The board also recently appointed 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, achieve success, and feel they belong,” said superintendent of education Matthew Webbe during his presentation to trustees on Wednesday. “Our collective focus as a community remains on ensuring every student feels seen, valued, supported throughout every SCDSB school.”
Barrie trustee vice chair Lynn Strachan expressed gratitude toward staff presenters for prioritizing acknowledgment at the beginning of their presentation.
“I think that’s very meaningful,” remarked Strachan.
New Tecumseth trustee Sarah Beitz suggested posting this acknowledgment on the SCDSB website.
Strachan mentioned linking more clearly between equity actions taken by the board with recommendations from Dreams Delayed through communication strategies. She pointed out one example regarding boards hiring more guidance counselors while noting that SCDSB has hired Black graduation coaches instead.
“Not everybody will link those two things together knowing they’re directly related,” she explained. “We’ve started work in many areas already.”
The report outlines next steps indicating that spring consultations will be held by the school board’s human rights office with engagement from Black students, staff members, and families.
Results from these sessions will help guide future plans for improvement moving forward.
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Results from these sessions will help guide future plans for improvement moving forward.
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