Tuesday night’s meeting of the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) was a disappointment for the Kingsville community. After a month of petitions, organized protests, letter writing, and ongoing debate on social media, Kingsville residents expected much more than what was served up by the tag team of Board Chair Gale Hatfield and Trustee Julia Burgess.

In spite of strong vocal support from Student Trustee Colin Pyne and Trustees Cooke and Qin, the duo would not relent and were clearly determined to disregard five delegations who made impassioned pleas for common sense to prevail.

In addition to KDHS students Emmerson Jadischke and Kinsey Kendrick who requested a motion of reconsideration and asked the board to accept the submission of Kingsville Lakeside District School, resident Angelina Ward also asked why Caldwell First Nation was not involved in the naming process.

In response to a point of clarification requested from Student Trustee Pyne, Ward stated that “Erie” is a settler word and not a name that exists in the Caldwell language.  She also reminded the board that the new school is being built on Caldwell land.

Resident Will Cowell made his submissions by phone. He referred to the board meeting of February 20 and noted that there was apparent disdain for the name “Kingsville” and even a suggestion in that meeting that the town history is steeped in racism. He further questioned the board’s knowledge of Indigenous history and recommended that they learn more about First Nations people.

He spoke about the misguided use of the word “migration” in relation to students and questioned whether the undercurrent of diversity, equity and inclusion was being used in the true spirit of that movement.

Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong spoke as an alumna of Kingsville schools and the parent of two students. Drawing on data from the school board survey, she pointed out that the probability of preference for Erie Migration Academy is roughly 1 in 87,000 while Kingsville District School is 1 in 13.

DeYong also argued that the name single-handedly selected by Trustee Burgess, which has faced substantial and sustained community backlash, will humiliate students.

The last delegate of the evening was Alexis Tindall, a resident of Harrow and self-described proud student of KDHS. She pointed to the lack of Harrow representation on the naming committee and stated that it was simply untrue that Harrow residents oppose the use of Kingsville in the new school name.  She also suggested that consideration be given to using Harrow’s school colours or mascots at the new school which is set to open this fall.

Throughout the meeting Student Trustee Colin Pyne stood firmly on the side of the delegates and the Kingsville community. He requested a motion for the name to be rescinded. That motion failed and subsequent attempts by other trustees were also ruled out of order by Hatfield.

Trustee Linda Qin referred to the outcome as a failure of policy.

“I think the current policy has serious problems and needs to be fixed,” she said. “I strongly suggest to take back the result of the naming procedures and go back to the naming committee and reconsider a new name to avoid potential harm to the students and community and to protect public confidence.”

When Hatfield reminded Qin that the policy had always included that trustees can put forward a name, Qin responded that the right to give alternative names by a Trustee should be based on conditions. Qin’s comments were followed by loud applause from attendees.

If posts on social media platforms after the meeting are any indication, Kingsville citizens are not prepared to accept the outcome of this board meeting.