Hamilton public school board trustees called out for making Becky Buck vice-chair

Student trustees say west Mountain trustee Becky Buck's election as the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board's vice-chair will hinder efforts to heal the harm done by the racism scandal that caused public outrage earlier this year.

Deema Abdel Hafeez and Aisha Mahmoud said students are extremely disappointed" that a majority of trustees chose Buck at their Dec. 6 meeting even though she was one of four trustees whose conduct was found to be racist by an outside investigation.

Buck beat Dundas trustee Paul Tut in a secret ballot for the position, which became vacant when incumbent Cam Galindo opted for an unsuccessful bid to unseat Dawn Danko as chair.

It is quite frustrating for students to watch the board declare the values of equity and inclusivity, yet watch a majority of the board act hypocritically," Mahmoud told trustees at their Dec. 13 meeting before being interrupted by Buck.

Point of privilege, chair Danko," Buck said, referring to a meeting rule allowing trustees to object if they feel their reputation is being impugned.

Thank you, I'll note that but I'll come back to you when the speaker's done," Danko responded.

Continuing in tandem, Abel Hafeez and Mahmoud said they'd met earlier that day with Black and Indigenous students, concluding Buck's election adds to the hindrance toward the HWDSB's ability to serve its student body."

As you're all aware, the harm that has been done has not gone away in our student community," Mahmoud said.

With all due respect, we ask that the whole board of trustees reflect on recent decisions and consider the perspectives of all members of our community and the message that this has delivered," Abdel Hafeez added.

Buck called the students' comments untrue" and personally disparaging."

She said the investigator's report didn't find she breached trustees' code of conduct.

I take issue with them having been allowed to speak in this way about me," Buck said.

Danko said she gave Abel Hafeez and Mahmoud latitude to speak because the board wants to encourage student voice.

She said trustees - not the investigator - determined Buck had not breached their code and didn't require sanctions, and Buck has completed required training for all trustees prompted by the probe.

(The investigator's report did conclude Buck's opposition to creating an Indigenous student trustee's position and reference to Twitter trolls" during a debate about ending a police liaison program in schools were racist.)

We've heard your request that we reflect on recent decisions," Danko said. I will note that there is a decision by the board and that the vice-chair is privileged and has the right to serve in that position as an elected official."

The student trustees' remarks came after trustees voted earlier in the four-hour meeting to receive without comment a letter from the Equity Network of Dundas calling Buck's election callous and cruel" and representative of past, present and future harm towards students."

Members of Hamilton Students for Justice also held what appeared to be, based on pictures posted on Twitter, a small rally outside the entrance to the board's headquarters an hour before the virtual meeting began.

Participants wrote several slogans in capital letters with chalk on the sidewalk, including No trust in trustees," Boot boot Becky B" and The buck must stop somewhere."