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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, J an ua ry 1 1, 20 18 | 26 NEWS Discussion about school uniform policy continues at HCDSB Staff asked for report to address growing number of parental concerns HALTON CATHOLIC D IS T R IC T S C H O O L BOARD "Every other com m ent expressed dissatisfaction with our current supplier. " - Anthony Quinn, Oakville trustee KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com Halton Catholic trust­ ees have asked staff for a report to address a grow­ ing number of parental concerns over the board's school uniform policy and its current supplier. The request followed a delegation by parent Jen­ nifer Hood at the Dec. 19 regular meeting of the board, which outlined, among other issues, the burden placed on low-in­ come families to purchase uniforms, particularly from a sole supplier. The issue of monopolis­ tic uniform purchasing is not new and trustees have dealt with parental dissat­ isfaction about it in the past. The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) dictates uni­ forms must be purchased from its approved suppli­ er, which must meet board policies and standards, in­ cluding ensuring fair la­ bour practices. The policy was most re­ cently discussed and amended at a Dec. 12 poli­ cy committee meeting to specifically address the process of a school uni­ form dress code for situa­ tions of consolidation/clo- sure and new schools. An overwhelming number of responses to a stakeholder survey, how­ ever, were not about that particular issue. Of 102 re­ sponses, only nine were directed to the proposed amendment dealing with school uniforms for school consolidation/clo- sure and new school situa­ tions, an outcome that the board couldn't ignore, said Oakville trustee An­ thony Quinn at the Dec. 12 meeting. "Every other comment expressed dissatisfaction with our current suppli­ er," said Quinn, adding it was clear that parents dis- approved of what the board had chosen for them. Quinn tried unsuccess­ fully in the past to sway colleagues that the HCDSB might be stepping out of its mandate, and even perhaps legal au­ thority, with the sole source supplier policy. Reiterating what he had said previously, Quinn said it was "inane" to think the board could pretend to have the power to foist its purchasing pol­ icies onto parents. "By forcing them to, we are getting in the way of a publicly funded educa­ tion," said Quinn. Although the policy amendments were almost unanimously approved at the Dec. 12 policy commit­ tee meeting, it did not pass when voted on again at the board level following Hood's delegation. Uniforms are expen­ sive and they are barriers created by the board for families to access Catholic education, said Hood in her presentation. "Why not just get rid of the barrier?" "The uniform policy does offer a "second way in" for families who can't afford the uniforms, but it doesn't provide a road map for how to get that support," said Hood. "This year, I haven't made a uniform support request because the whole process is just too unclear and too humiliating." "There is such a glut of gently used clothing, par­ ents wouldn't need finan­ cial assistance for school clothes if it weren't for the uniform requirement." Hood also spoke of a lack of transparency from the board as to where any monetary benefits from the supplier end up, and questioned the board's ra­ tionale for insisting on uniforms as the preferred option for students. She also suggested the board's policy include a clear outline of whose re­ sponsibility it is to pro­ vide support and in what amount and that parents have a "meaningful voice" in that support. CELEBRITY .gp O B TS V:n n e r ^ This event is in support o f th e Cham ber's Scholarship Program. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 [ Rattlesnake Point Golf Club Tickets $175 (plus hst) each | Table of 10 $1600 (plus hst) K O R EY JA R VIS Featuring Yvan Cournoyer, Geraldine Heaney, Dennis Maruk, Korey Jarvis, Ron Ellis, James MacDonald & emcee Ken Reid Hear For more information or to purchase tickets call 905.878.0581 or visit www.miltonchamber.ca mailto:kyanchus@metroland.com http://www.miltonchamber.ca Discussion about school uniform policy continues at HCDSB KATHY YANCHUS KOREY JARVIS