Bruce Rodrigues was appointed today as Supervisor of the Peel District School Board (PDSB). Education Minister Stephen Lecce said “from day one… if the PDSB does not act swiftly and completely to counter racism and positively change the culture within our schools, then the government will act” adding that “this ends starting today.”
The appointment of a supervisor allows the PDSB to undertake actions to eliminate the practices and policies underpinning discrimination and inequities.
In March, Lecce passed a series of directives to address anti-Black racism at the school board. The formal reviewers’ report and an investigation report highlight the work ahead to create inclusive classrooms for children in Black and other minority communities. Trustees unanimously passed a motion on June 17 to approve the appointment of a new supervisor. The role of the supervisor is to control the administrative affairs of the board.
Rodrigues is currently Chancellor of the University of St. Jerome’s at the University of Waterloo. He is the former Deputy Minister of Education and Early Years and Child Care in the province of Ontario. He was formerly CEO of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), Director of Education of the Toronto Catholic School Board, Associate Director of Education and later Superintendent of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. He spent 33 years teaching Math, English and social sciences.
The fate of the current Director of Education Peter Joshua remains in limbo. Multiple groups have been calling for Joshua to resign as a result of inaction on anti-Black racism combined with a serious of missteps by the board in responding to community concerns.
