Greater Essex County District School Board - Review of meetings held on February 20, March 19, April 2, and April 16, 2024
June 12, 2024 - The Ombudsman received more than 300 complaints that raised concerns about the Greater Essex County District School Board’s process for naming a new kindergarten to grade 12 school located in Kingsville. Many of these complaints additionally raised concerns that during closed meetings on February 20, March 19, April 2, and April 16, 2024, the Committee of the Whole may have improperly discussed the name or naming process for the new school.
The Ombudsman found that the Board of Trustees acted in accordance with the School Board’s policies, regulations, and the Governance By-laws in naming the new kindergarten to grade 12 school. In addition, the Ombudsman found that the Committee of the Whole’s in camera discussions on February 20, 2024 fit within the Education Act’s exception for intimate, personal or financial information respecting a specifically identified individual. The Ombudsman noted that the discussion was not about what the school should be named, and specific options were not canvassed. He also determined that the Committee of the Whole did not discuss the substance of the school name or the naming process in closed session on March 19, April 2, or April 16, 2024.
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