School board trustee to call for reconsideration of school naming policy
The trustee who put forward the controversial name for Kingsville’s new school will call for reconsideration to the board’s naming policy.
Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) Trustee Julia Burgess had been standing firmly behind the name ‘Erie Migration Academy’ – which she suggested in February – despite public outcry over the perception the work of a naming committee had been ignored.
The agenda for the March 19 GECDSB meeting includes a notice of motion that the board refer the naming and renaming policy of board facilities back to the policy committee for reconsideration.
“I don't think it serves the district in a few ways, but certainly not with multi-school and multi-municipality consolidations,” Burgess told CTV News Friday.
She explained that this motion doesn’t directly impact the name of the K-12 school expected to open in Kingsville come September.
“It's not to reconsider a name,” said Burgess. “It's to refer a policy and a regulation to a committee which studies policy, regulation, and accompanying admin procedure, etc. for review and reconsideration.”
“Any amendments or new drafts are then sent back to the full board for discussion and/or adoption,” she explained.
The ‘Erie Migration Academy’ name passed a board vote 6-2 on Feb. 20.
In the following days, as members of the public expressed their upset, trustees Linda Qin (one of the two to vote against the name) and Cathy Cooke (who was absent for the vote) both said they would bring forth a motion to reconsider the name ‘Erie Migration Academy’ – though it was unclear if they’d be able to, as policy dictates a motion to reconsider can only come from someone who initially supported it.
Some of those participating in protests to have the name changed have expressed intent to bring their frustration to Tuesday’s meeting.
The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Correction
A previous version of this story stated Trustee Julia Burgess’ motion was to reconsider the ‘Erie Migration Academy’ name, when in fact it addresses the naming policy for future instances.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.