HWDSB to reconsider not sanctioning 4 trustees after racism probe

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) trustees will reconsider their decision last week to not issue further sanctions to those named in a report that concluded four trustees didn't understand equity and inclusion, and in some cases, singled out a former student trustee.

Vice-chair Cam Galindo and Ward 3 trustee Maria Felix Miller pushed the motion on Monday night to reconsider not issuing sanctions. It passed unanimously.

"I fully support the motion to reconsider … it is a responsible and transparent decision," Felix Miller said.

Former chairs raised concerns about last week's decision after learning three of the trustees named in the independent review were allowed to vote on if the report should be anonymized and if they should be punished. Some political leaders also denounced the decision.

Ahona Mehdi, the 18-year-old former student trustee who made the allegations which spurred the report, has been calling for the trustees' removal.

While Alex Johnstone declared a conflict of interest last week, Becky Buck, Kathy Archer and Carole Paikin Miller all voted.

This week, Johnstone and Buck both declared a conflict of interest. Archer was absent from the meeting.

Paikin Miller was the only trustee connected to the report who also voted on Monday. While she displayed resistance earlier in the meeting, the vote to reconsider the lack of sanctions passed unanimously. 

Chair Dawn Danko said she appreciated having the opportunity to discuss whether they should reconsider last week's decision.

Student Trustee Ethan Hesler said the reconsideration was necessary.

"It is in students' best interest they're educated in a school board free from racism and discrimination," he said.

"For trustees to choose whether they are held accountable for their actions is inexcusable. Education is meant to shape our future, but what future are we creating when we teach students in a board full of inequality?"