Chair’s Statement on Anti-Black Racism and Supporting Equity

At the March 4, 2024 Standing Committee Meeting, the Chairperson of the DDSB Board of Trustees, Christine Thatcher, read out the following statement:

I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the unwavering commitment of the Board of Trustees of the Durham District School Board in combatting anti-Black racism and all forms of racism and discrimination. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I also express the Board’s support for all groups who continue to be discriminated against in our schools, workplaces and communities.

The Board’s commitment and support are not confined to a particular month or date of significance. Rather, it is a year-round focus deeply ingrained in our actions and guided by the DDSB’s Indigenous Education Policy, the Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Racism Policy and the Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy. For example, the DDSB actively engages in initiatives beyond Black History Month events, such as the implementation of the second version of the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success and continuous community partnerships and engagement.

Improving student and staff experiences, advancing achievement, building relationships and fostering well-being are fundamental to our new strategic plan. Our guiding principles include caring for each other and upholding Indigenous rights and human rights.  To do this, we recognize our shared responsibility to respond to the diverse and intersectional experiences of students, staff, and community members. By listening attentively and acting accordingly, we are actively addressing systemic inequities in public education.

Dismantling systemic racism and all forms of discrimination requires persistence, humility, empathy and learning. The DDDB understand that there is more work to do to intentionally address discrimination based on all Human Rights Code-protected grounds and intersections of grounds, including and not limited to ancestry, race, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and religion. The Durham District School Board remains dedicated to this ongoing work of creating a safe inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Thank you for your attention. The DDSB appreciates the ongoing support of, and collaboration with, community members as we work towards our shared goals and responsibilities to ensure that all students, staff and families know that they belong here at the DDSB.