Stephen Lecce slams Halton school board for handling of teacher dress code controversy

The Halton school board has abdicated" its responsibility to students and let the controversy over the attire of an Oakville high school teacher get out of hand, says Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

Halton parents are rightfully outraged at what's taking place," Lecce told the Star when asked about the issue Tuesday at Queen's Park. It's unacceptable and an abdication of responsibility of the school board for not defending and upholding the interests of children. ... (The) welfare of kids should prevail in our judgments in school boards and in government."

Lecce had already asked the Ontario College of Teachers for direction in light of the shop teacher at Oakville Trafalgar High School who appears to wear oversized prosthetic breasts under tight, revealing tops - and he was told school boards already have the authority and tools to address situations around professional conduct and standards.

The education minister said his office has been in touch with the Halton District School Board as recently as over the past few days" as photos purportedly of the teacher dressed as a man surfaced in the New York Post, along with a denial from the teacher that the photos were of her. The photos, taken near the teacher's home, show a man, without an oversized bust.

In an interview with the Post, published Sunday, Kayla Lemieux claimed her oversized breasts are real and due to a rare undiagnosed condition. She also said she was born intersex and that throughout her life identified as male and looked male. She said in 2021 she began hormone replacement therapy and was in transition, and that the therapy was responsible for the size of her breasts.

The Star first contacted Lemieux for an interview last fall, and heard back in January, when she asked what monetary compensation" the Star would offer, noting The reason I ask is because it would seem there is so much interest in this for reasons I truly cannot comprehend at an international level." The Star said it does not pay for interviews and despite repeated attempts for comment, Lemieux rarely replied.

Following recent media stories, the Star reached out again to Lemieux asking her to set the record straight.

She responded by email, telling the Star, All of my quotations found in the New York Post story that was released on Sunday evening are accurate and true."

Lemieux told the Post she is not a transgendered person" and that she was born intersex," which according to the Cleveland Clinic is when people have genitals, chromosomes or reproductive organs that don't fit into a male-female sex binary. And, my condition is classified as gigantomastia," which the Cleveland Clinic describes as rare, and something that affects those born female and involves developing extremely large breasts due to excessive breast tissue growth that can occur over a few weeks to several years.

When pressed for proof by the Post, Lemieux said she had never received a formal diagnosis. She also said she was not the person the Post had photographed days earlier in men's clothing, without the breasts, saying I can't tell you who that is ... but it wasn't me."

Meanwhile, parents are growing increasingly frustrated as the high school where Lemieux teaches continues to receive bomb threats - the most recent being Tuesday. And many are left scratching their heads after the recent media reports, calling on the board to investigate.

Al Saplys, whose daughter attends Oakville Trafalgar High School, says he has many concerns about the situation.

If you're a teacher who truly believes that kids come first, then why would you continue to attract attention to yourself via international media, which you know is going to create bomb threats?"

He also reiterated the need for a dress policy for staff that replicates one for students, which prohibits clothing that makes nipples or genitals visible.

Since Lemieux started with the Halton board last September and was photographed at the school - photos that went viral sparking international headlines, and protests - parents have complained the school board isn't listening to them.

Last week, at a board meeting, the HDSB said it would seek input from parents and students about the creation of a professionalism policy" that includes dress standards for staff, which is be presented on March 1. It says it's in the process of finalizing a stakeholder survey, which will be shared shortly. In January, trustees directed the board to devise the policy, after it had long maintained it couldn't impose a staff dress code, citing equity and human rights. Director of Education Curtis Ennis has said that even with a new policy, it's unclear when it will be implemented, noting that provincial law prohibits employers from altering working conditions when there's no collective agreement in place - teachers are currently negotiating a new contract.

Lecce told the Star he's reaffirming the expectation of parents, of taxpayers, of everyone with common sense, to impose a professional standard that ensures kids are able to learn free of any distraction - frankly free of the threats, the bomb threats and many unacceptable challenges that are now being imposed on these schools on a weekly basis. We need kids to get back to learning and boards need to ensure that they are upholding the rights and interests of kids and the high professional standards that we expect in every school in this province."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Halton school board could not comment on anything related to the medical status of any employees.

The HDSB always strives to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff and the community," said Heather Francey in an email. Our approach is informed by opinions from leading employment law firms, as well as experts in human rights and equity legislation."

We continue to take pride in the inclusiveness, compassion and respect for human rights that our students and staff have demonstrated during this time. Despite reports online, they continue to attend class, learn and work together toward their goals for the semester."

Kristin Rushowy is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @krushowy

Isabel Teotonio is a Toronto-based reporter covering education for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @Izzy74