UGDSB approves new school naming policy despite public feedback

Two-thirds of respondents opposed to provision stating facilities can't be named after people/corporations

GUELPH – An updated policy on naming schools and board facilities has been approved by the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).

The policy was made available for public consultation between Nov. 26 and Dec. 26, during which 34 comments were submitted about the draft policy.

Two-thirds of respondents were not supportive of the changes, namely the provision that schools/facilities and designated areas are not to be named after individuals.

Some changes were made to the policy in response to public feedback, but the stipulation that schools/facilities are not to be named after individuals or corporations remains.

The policy was approved during a regular meeting of council on Jan. 14 without discussion.

“While it is not the board’s intent to regularly monitor or review the names of all existing facilities or designated spaces, it is looking to ensure that names selected under this revised policy are more inclusive and consider systemic representation rather than individual acknowledgment alone,” board officials stated in a Jan. 7 policies and priorities meeting agenda package.

“The board recognizes the opportunity to educate the community on any names connected to historical legacies of harm and build awareness on why a name may be inappropriate, particularly during a review of an existing name, or during the transitional process of renaming a particular site.”

Based on public feedback received, UGDSB staff added a clause that allows for existing school and facility names to be reviewed, potentially leading to official renaming processes.

Staff also added a “clause that speaks to the possible renaming of a school, other board facility or designated area, with added clarity on the possible reasons for doing so” and information about how names are approved (with a majority vote of the board of trustees).

Reasons for renaming may include:

  • “a reasonable concern that the existing name is shown to be culturally insensitive, discriminatory, or otherwise undermines the values of the UGDSB;
  • “the existing name is no longer relevant or supported by the local community, or is inappropriate for the UGDSB as a whole;
  • “a significant change in identity and school focus or programming; or
  • “a consolidation or amalgamation of schools.”

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