Latest news with #OCDSB
Ottawa Citizen
8 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Algonquin elder files lawsuit claiming she was bounced from OCDSB committee
An Algonquin elder has filed a $4.5 million-plus lawsuit against Ottawa's largest school board, alleging she was 'targeted' and subjected to an 'unconstitutional gag order' after she developed a policy to prevent fraudulent Indigenous identity claims. Article content According to a statement of claim filed June 3 in Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Monique Manatch was removed from her role as chair of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's Indigenous Education Committee (IEC) after she developed the policy to 'ensure that resources designated for Indigenous persons would not be diverted by individuals fraudulently claiming Indigenous identity.' Article content Article content Article content The allegations have not been proven in court. The OCDSB filed a notice of intent to defend on June 17. Article content Article content Manatch was chair of the Indigenous Education Committee from 2016 until she was removed from the position in February, according to the statement of claim. She is a member of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, has been an Indigenous education advocate for 20 years and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Anthropology at Carleton University. Article content The policy Manatch was developing was created through extensive consultation with local Indigenous communities, according to the statement of claim, and aligned with best practices, including a 2022 report on Indigenous identity fraud commissioned by the University of Saskatchewan. Article content On Dec. 8, 2024, OCDSB director of education, Pino Buffone phoned Manatch about a complaint made against her, but provided neither details nor the complainant's identity, the statement of claim said. On Jan. 27, she learned by email that she was being investigated for alleged breaches of a harassment prevention policy that had allegedly been raised by a parent. Article content Article content Manatch's statement said she requested particulars, but they were never provided. On Feb. 2, a third-party investigation firm said she was under investigation regarding concerns about the committee under the OCDSB's Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention policy. But there were still no particulars about the allegations and the OCDSB did not respond when her lawyer asked for details about the allegations and clarification about the investigation. Article content In a statement, OCDSB spokesperson Diane Pernari said the temporary removal of Manatch from her IEC chair role was a 'necessary decision followed multiple allegations of harassment over several months in which Ms. Manatch was implicated. Given our responsibilities as an employer to ensure a safe work environment, an external and impartial investigation was initiated.'
Ottawa Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Bell High School valedictorian defended by advocates after pro-Palestinian remarks
A part of Bell High School valedictorian Elizabeth Yao's speech mentioning the war in Gaza initiated a call from her principal, asking Yao to stay home the following Monday. Article content Now, some advocates are showing support for Yao and demanding that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) issue her a public apology. Article content Article content 'I think people are using the platforms they have to make important statements. That, I think, is totally legitimate,' said Sam Hersh, a member of Independent Jewish Voices Ottawa. 'Touching on politics and the commencement speech and talking about what students and younger generations are going to face is probably appropriate and contextual for the times that we're currently living in.' Article content Article content Yao's Valedictorian speech largely focused on the memories she made after four years at Bell High School. Article content Article content In videos and a written copy of her speech circulating online, Yao reminisces about preparing 200 waffles with her peers for a fundraiser. She thanks the custodial staff for their reliance and speed, and the front office workers for supplying students with forks to eat their lunch. Yao also mentions her fellow students, saying their participation in school events made them 'the heart of our high school experiences.' Article content 'As a commitment to truth and reconciliation I must acknowledge colonial and genocidal atrocities today, including the massacre of more than 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza,' the speech reads. In videos of Yao's speech, her comments are met with cheers and applause from the audience. Article content Article content 'I refuse to stand on the side of history that allows the repetition of crimes against humanity,' she continues. 'It is my hope that every single one of you present today consider my speech and my desperation for a free Palestine.' Article content Article content In an email addressed to parents and guardians, Bell High School principal Jane Conrod apologized for the speech's 'unexpected and unapproved' comments. Article content 'The content of the remarks, which touched on deeply sensitive global events, was not part of the pre-approved speech,' the email reads. 'We deeply regret that this occurred and are truly sorry for the harm that has been caused.' Article content In a statement, OCDSB spokesperson Diane Pernari said Conrod would not be available for an interview. But Pernari said the goal of their commencement ceremonies is to 'create a joyous celebration of student achievement.' Article content 'Our schools provide appropriate forums within the school year to engage thoughtfully with a wide range of issues that impact our community. These settings are designed to facilitate respectful, safe and supportive discussions,' the statement said.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
OCDSB approves 2025-26 budget with $18M in cuts
Ottawa's largest school board has finalized a budget that comes with more than $18 million worth of spending cuts. Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustees approved the $1.2 billion budget for the next school year Tuesday night. It includes spending reductions of $4.98 million for special education, $5.97 million in administration spending and $4.22 million in reductions on instruction. The cuts amount to less than two per cent of the overall budget but mean about 135 fewer full-time positions at the school board. Thirty kindergarten early childhood educator positions will be cut, along with 18 elementary teachers and three secondary school teachers. The cuts come as the OCDSB seeks to avoid a fifth-straight budget deficit. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Education launched a financial investigation into the board. Elementary school enrolment is expected to drop from 51,738 students in 2024-25 to 51,071 students in 2025-26, while secondary school enrolment is expected to increase from 26,077 students in 2024-25 to 26,149 students next school year.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
OCDSB to finalize $18.1M in budget cuts
Ottawa's largest school board is expected to balance its $1.244-billion operating budget for the next school year by making $18.1 million in cuts. About $5 million in savings will come from special education, $6 million from administration and $4.2 million from teaching, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) staff said. Another $3 million will be found in other areas over the course of the coming school year, such as vacant positions. At a special meeting Tuesday night, the board is expected to formalize a decision trustees made June 11 when they voted seven to two to support a series of staff recommendations aimed at avoiding a fifth deficit. Among the financial pressures facing the board are rising costs due to inflation, paying supply teachers as staff use sick leave, extra costs stemming from Workplace Safety and Insurance Board decisions, and a requirement to keep all schools open due to a moratorium on closures. Balancing the budget was "no small feat" and took months of work to find rational and reasonable reductions, chief financial officer Randy Gerrior told trustees last week. That's despite the Ministry of Education only publishing details of allocations to Ontario school boards on May 23, he said. The OCDSB didn't receive any significant new money for the coming year because the funding formula is based largely on the number of pupils and the board's enrolment has flatlined. It expects 51,071 elementary students next school year, plus 26,149 high school students. The OCDSB's budget has been created, debated and voted on as trustees and staff await the results of an investigation by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Education minister Paul Calandra assigned the company to scrutinize the OCDSB's finances because of its lack of reserves and repeated deficits. "The ministry is currently reviewing the report's findings and is in the process of considering next steps," wrote Emma Testani, press secretary to the education minister. 135 fewer full-time positions Next year, the OCDSB plans to spend $740.4 million, or 59.6 per cent of its operating budget, on instruction and $159.5 million, or 12.8 per cent, on instruction in special education. It's still spending $10 million more on special education than it receives. As for jobs, board expects to have 8,453 full-time positions next year, a reduction of 135 from what it had approved at budget time last year. It had already approved some job reductions in March to adhere to timelines in collective agreements. Classroom and resource teachers would drop by 64 positions compared to last year, for a total of 4,950. The board also sees employing 31 fewer kindergarten early childhood educators. Such positions are tied to enrolment. Gerrior's team recommended 20 fewer educational assistants compared to last year's budget, for a total of 853 staff to help students with special or complex needs. The centralized department that supports special education will also shed various jobs including a social worker, three psychologists and a couple of speech language pathologists. The summer learning program for students with developmental disabilities and autism would no longer be offered after this summer, despite an effort by trustee Lyra Evans to preserve it. The board will receive more money for student transportation, with planned spending of $56.5 million next school year. The province has committed to bridging a price increase for monthly OC Transpo passes, Gerrior added. Dealing with long-term issues Chair Lynn Scott credited OCDSB staff for spending months scrutinizing the finances to find savings through "things that are nice to have, but not required to have." Beyond that, she called for continuing efforts to explain to the Ontario government the flaws in its funding formula and its detrimental effect on students. As for the longer term, Gerrior said the board is dealing with its structural deficit by trying to make better use of its funds. The recent contentious reorganization of elementary schools will help, he said. The OCDSB anticipates presenting its next review — of its adult and continuing education programs — in the fall. To rebuild its reserves, which it used up during the pandemic, the board intends to use revenue from selling off surplus buildings, he explained. On June 11, after two nights of deliberations as committee of the whole, seven trustees voted in favour of the budget as staff had presented it: Lynn Scott, Julia Fortey, Donna Blackburn, Suzanne Nash, Jennifer Jennekens, Donna Dickson, and Matthew Lee. Trustees Lyra Evans and Cathryne Milburn opposed the budget. Justine Bell abstained from voting and Amanda Presley was absent. Nili Kaplan-Myrth was also counted as absent because her pending resignation must be formally approved at a meeting June 23.
4 days ago
- Politics
Valedictorian told to stay home after making pro-Palestinian remarks in grad speech
The valedictorian at a west Ottawa high school says she's been told not to come to school Monday after she made pro-Palestinian remarks during a speech at her commencement ceremony. Elizabeth Yao largely focused on highlights from the past four years at Bell High School during her speech on Thursday, including a memorable waffle fundraiser and the days spent dozing off while reading Shakespeare. Her comments on the war in Gaza came at the end, after a land acknowledgement. As a commitment to truth and reconciliation, I must acknowledge colonial and genocidal atrocities today, including the massacre of more than 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza, Yao said, breaking off as the crowd cheered. The next day, Yao said she received a call from her principal, who said her statements had caused harm and told her she shouldn't come to school on Monday. That decision is being criticized by some as going against Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) policy, and Yao said she stands by her speech. I believe that it was the right thing to do because it's an issue that deeply affects my community, she said. 'OCDSB likes to talk about the fact that students should be engaged in the community and also have basic understanding of empathy, be resilient and brave,' Yao remarked, saying that's what she was trying to do. Photo: (Courtesy of Elizabeth Yao) 'Took focus away' from graduation, says board Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, more than 50,000 children have been reportedly killed or injured in Gaza (new window) , according to UNICEF. In an email sent to parents after the commencement ceremony, which Yao provided to CBC, her principal wrote that her speech intentionally took focus away from the purpose of the event, celebrating the achievement of our graduating class. But the escalating war in Gaza was an ever-present concern for her class through their high school years, Yao said, noting that her school has a large Arab and Muslim population. I have seen it affect the students around me, as they have gone on walkouts and protests in the past in order to make the Canadian government aware of what is going on, she said. School board trustee Lyra Evans told CBC she's been fielding a lot of emails, texts and calls, but none of them were unhappy with Yao's comments. [They] have been asking how on earth or why on earth are we suspending valedictorians and potentially putting their future in jeopardy with three weeks left to go in school, Evans said. Hanna Abdalla, Yao's friend and fellow graduate, said she didn't hear from anyone who was upset with Yao's speech. I don't think it was fair to [be] putting our valedictorian on blast, said Abdalla. What about the harm, the daily harm, that Palestinian students back in Palestine go through every day? CBC asked for an interview with the school's principal, but the OCDSB said they would not be commenting. Lyra Evans said she's concerned this decision could have broader consequences on the school board's relationship with the Palestinian community in Ottawa. (Kate Porter/CBC) Photo: (Kate Porter/CBC) 'Anti-Palestinian erasure' After her situation drew so much attention, Yao was put in touch with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a non-profit advocacy and lobby group. Nusaiab Al-Azem, director of legal affairs for the NCCM, told CBC she believes the school violated OCDSB policies by both telling Yao not to come to school without officially suspending her and for punishing her for pro-Palestinian statements. To imply that what [Yao] said was harmful is itself a form of anti-Palestinian erasure and anti-Palestinian racism, which the school board has a specific policy against, she said. Evans agreed that Yao did not break any rules. She cited the OCDSB's own guidelines, which say slogans or symbols that signal solidarity, such as 'Free Palestine' etc. are permitted so long as they don't violate the code of conduct. The school board should revoke the suspension, ensure no mark is made on Yao's Ontario student record, and issue an apology to the broader Palestinian community, Evans said. In the meantime, Yao still plans to go back to school on Monday. I'm a little angry, maybe, at the unfortunate situation, especially since I had connected the situation to the values of the school board and what I had learned throughout my four years of being at the school, she said. I was applying that to being an advocate and making sure that those who are oppressed have a voice in our society. Gabrielle Huston (new window) · CBC News
