Naming of Schools Policy

1.1 The naming of a school and the consideration of a potential school re-naming are important for the school community. A policy for school naming ensures community involvement and a transparent, equitable, accessible and reasonable process.

1.2 Durham District School Board (DDSB) believes that school names should promote a safe, equitable, welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for teaching and learning. DDSB respects the diverse identities, strengths, experiences and perspectives of our communities and values their contribution to school naming.

2.1 The objective of this policy is to establish the process and parameters for the naming or re-naming of schools that supports the Board’s commitment and legal responsibilities to Indigenous rights, human rights, anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and equitable and inclusive education and to inform Board Procedure to operationalize this Policy.

2.2 Durham District School Board recognizes that Indigenous rights are inherent and distinct. 
Recommendations of possible names for schools will not be such as to infringe or otherwise offend the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples and will support the rights of all student and employees to an environment that is free from discrimination.

In this policy,

3.1 Board refers to the Board of Trustees for Durham District School Board.

3.2 District refers to the corporate entity of Durham District School Board. 

3.3 Staff refers to any individual who is employed by DDSB.

4.1 Trustees: For the purposes of this policy, Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Board and developing and maintaining policies. They are also responsible for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of policies developed by the Board in supporting the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

4.2 Director of Education: For the purposes of this policy, the operations of the District are the responsibility of the Director of Education (and designates) and include measures to operationalize and ensure compliance with Board Policy by adapting and implementing appropriate Procedures and by providing professional learning and training to staff to support implementation. A focus on enhancing understanding of Indigenous rights, human rights, anti-oppression, anti-racism and anti-discrimination, and addressing discriminatory assumptions, stereotypes, biases, barriers, experiences and outcomes is required.

5.1 To name a new or consolidated school, a School Naming Committee shall be established to provide a short-list of recommendations to the Board based on the naming conventions set forth in sections 5.6 and 5.7 of this Policy and consistent with the terms of any procedure adopted under this Policy.

5.2 The School Naming Committee shall reflect the diverse communities DDSB serves and be comprised of the area Trustees (no fewer than two Trustees), a Student Trustee, and the Family of Schools Superintendent, together with those representatives from the community and the school's staff and students as may be selected in accordance with the procedure adopted under this Policy.

5.3 If a written request is received to rename an existing school, the Director will review the request, and if satisfied that it is, or is likely to be a concern that engages one or more of the renaming criteria stipulated in section 5.4 of this Policy, then the Director shall deliver a report to the Board. The rationale for a name change, the composition of the School Naming Committee and a financial analysis of the associated costs will be included in the report to Trustees. 

If, based on the report provided by the Director of Education, the Board is satisfied that any of the criteria of section 5.4 are engaged such that the name of the school is to be changed, a School Naming Committee shall be struck. The School Naming Committee will provide a short list of recommendations to the Board based on the naming conventions set forth in sections 5.6 and 5.7 of this Policy and consistent with the terms of any procedure adopted under this Policy.

If the Director is not satisfied that the request is, or is likely to be a concern that engages one or more of the renaming criteria stipulated in section 5.4 of the Policy, then the Director shall maintain a record of such requests and shall deliver a summary report at the end of the year of all such names.

5.4 A school shall be eligible to be renamed under this policy if:

1. the current name does not align with the Board's commitment or legal responsibilities to Indigenous rights, human rights, anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-discrimination and equitable and inclusive education; or
2. the current name constitutes a significant departure from generally recognized standards of public behaviour which is seen to undermine the credibility, integrity or relevance of the Board's contemporary values; or
3. the current name was appropriated from a culture or community without the necessary engagement and consultation with representatives from the community; or
4. the Board, in conjunction with the school community, has developed a new identity for the school.

5.5 The Board will accept the recommendation of the School Naming Committee and choose a name on the shortlist of names recommended. If required, the Board can refer the matter back to the School Naming Committee for recommendations of additional proposed names.

5.6 The name for a school shall align with 2.1 and 2.2 of this Policy and include:

1. the name of a renowned individual of historical significance whose contribution to the local community, Canadian society or to the world is recognized and valued and would be seen by the community as representative of the values of the DDSB; or
2. the name of a geographic landmark associated with the location of the school including a street name and the name of the community including any historical name for the community or area; or
3. the name of a significant Canadian event

5.7 In no case, shall any school be named after a corporation, a sitting politician, a current employee of the Board, a member of the Board, or a member of the immediate family of the foregoing.

6.1 This Policy is subject to review and revision as may be deemed appropriate by the Board, but it 
shall be brought to the Board for review at least every five years.

• Naming of School Procedure