LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Taking a stand

As former superintendent of the Hanover School Division I have mostly maintained a healthy distance from school division matters since I retired in 2012. However, as a citizen and resident of the division, I have become increasingly alarmed by the positions taken by a group that controls the current board.

I feel I must speak up, now that the chairperson of the board has publicly stated through the press that the board intends to pass a policy that goes against provincial law, in spite of concerns voiced by the Minister of Education.

I was raised right here in Hanover by parents who taught us that respecting and obeying the law was our duty as Christians. I have always understood that no one is above the law – especially someone who holds public office and holds trusteeship of our public school system. This should be of huge concern for everyone, regardless of the position they hold on the issues at hand.

Christians who are being encouraged to believe that God’s law trumps the laws of our land will be in for a cruel surprise if their movement succeeds in undermining the very law that protects freedom of religion – theirs and others. History has many examples to prove that one of the first things that is lost when the law no longer holds, is the freedom of religion for all.

If passed, this policy will direct HSD staff to join the board in disobedience of the law, to the detriment of students, teachers and our entire community. How can this be acceptable for anyone? One thousand signatures on a petition has not deterred them. Maybe the names on this petition are not the right ones in the eyes of the board. What if that were 1,000 votes – all that is needed in most wards to get elected.

Another policy being put forward would enable the board to censor the use of teaching resources. A recent policy on student activism is couched in all kinds of supportive language until the reader realizes that the board is setting themselves up to disapprove of and to disallow student activism if it goes against their beliefs or opinions.

All of these policies are clearly influenced by similar policies being put forward in another country, with the aim of increasing the political power and privilege of one faith group and limiting the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals or minority groups in the community.

It is my opinion that the current board is acting recklessly due to the coming election – possibly to make sure their control extends into the future regardless of who might or might not get re-elected. As more and more senior and school administrators are leaving the division, this board will also get the chance to replace both the chief superintendent and an assistant superintendent – again setting the course of the division, possibly for years to come. And as senior school administrators decide to go elsewhere, the board can replace them with those who fit a certain profile, ensuring loyalty and compliance at the school level.

Their stubbornness on the policy which would remove the right of minors to consult health care in the schools might also be a pre-election strategy. If the province shuts them down on the basis of the illegality of the policy, they can then fall back on their “persecution complex,” while ignoring that they have, in fact, broken the law and abused our trust. And if the province and we as the voters, allow this to happen, this board will get away with these things and many other school boards will be delighted to follow suit.

Appeasement does not work with people who are determined to use public office to impose their own prejudices on others. We have to stand and say, “Not allowed on our watch!” For the sake of the students. For the sake of the staff. For the well-being of our community. For the continued rule of law which protects us all!