Waterloo School Board Releases Long-Awaited Integrity Report

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has released the Integrity Commissioner’s report concerning the suspension of Trustee Mike Ramsay, over three years after the board initially reviewed its findings. This report, submitted to the board of trustees in May 2022, details the events leading to Ramsay’s suspension, which occurred following a 6-3 vote by the board due to breaches of the trustee code of conduct.

The report had remained confidential until now, only becoming public after a private citizen successfully filed a Freedom of Information request. The decision to disclose the report comes amid increasing public interest in the board’s internal dynamics and governance issues.

Content of the Report

The Integrity Commissioner’s report characterizes the WRDSB as a board divided along ideological lines, with one faction leaning progressive and the other conservative. According to the findings, this divergence has led to feelings of marginalization among some trustees who oppose what they have described as the majority’s “woke” agenda. The report states, “While having a diversity of opinion on the board can be healthy, it also runs the risk of creating a negative dynamic; some of which is evident in the events underlying the complaint.”

The conflict that precipitated the complaints against Ramsay began with the board’s decision to halt a presentation by teacher Carolyn Burjoski concerning the age-appropriateness of library materials on January 17, 2022. Following this incident, Trustee Laurie Tremble accused Ramsay of violating the code of conduct, citing what she deemed to be a “pattern of concerning behaviour.” The specifics of the allegations were outlined in the report, though it did not offer any recommendations for action.

The document compared the complaint to similar cases involving trustees, emphasizing the need for the board to maintain integrity while navigating its ideological divisions. While the report highlighted the complexities within the board, it underscored the importance of upholding the standards expected of public officials.

As the WRDSB navigates the aftermath of this report, the implications of the findings may prompt further discussions about governance and accountability within the board. The release of the report marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about transparency in educational institutions and the challenges they face in addressing diverse perspectives.