The Friends of Vic High (FOVH) Calls for an Independent Investigation of Greater Victoria School Board to Address Systemic Racism and Inequality

Dear Minister Whiteside,                                                     

The Friends of Vic High (FOVH), a group of community stakeholders and Vic High alumni advocating for the rights of current and future students of Vic High, calls upon the Ministry of Education to conduct an independent investigation of the Greater Victoria School Board (the Board) due to ongoing issues of systemic racism and inequality.

The recent assurance that “[t]he Board and Senior staff have already begun this [anti-racism] work through readings and participating in cultural perspectives training” is an important first step. However, this provision does not address the damage that previous actions have set in motion including issues of systemic inequality based on socio-economic realities that continue to impact schools like Victoria High School. These actions require an independent investigation to prevent the current paradigm of systemic racism and inequality from negatively impacting children’s futures.

While admirable, the Board’s commitment to a “better budget process … to ensure adequate time, transparent access to information, and collaborative dialogue with the public over the coming year” is not a commitment to an examination of the underlying biases about individual schools and their students, as well as the outdated guidelines that currently inform the budget process. Before the Board can proceed, these issues require investigation and remediation, as they reflect the toxic and dysfunctional culture the Board has pledged to overcome.

This independent investigation requires two phases.

Phase 1: The most acute issue requiring independent investigation is the proposed rezoning of Vic High land, as a public hearing is scheduled to be announced by the City in October. The proposed rezoning (following the Board’s vote to dispose of land intended for educational use) is indicative of decades of systemic inequality and educational inequities that threaten to impact Vic High students for decades to come unless the Ministry of Education intervenes and facilitates an independent investigation. This investigation will uncover underlying issues of systemic inequality that impact vulnerable students throughout the Greater Victoria School District (the District). If necessary, the City’s public hearing regarding the proposed rezoning of Vic High land must be put on hold until a timely, fulsome, and transparent report is made available to the public for review.

Phase 2: More broadly, public complaints about systemic racism and inequality in the District must be subject to an independent investigation, and a review of the Board’s ongoing, unexamined actions, biases, and outdated guidelines that contribute to these systemic issues must be conducted. A timely, fulsome, and transparent report must be made available to the public for review.

To reiterate, we call upon the Ministry of Education to conduct an independent investigation of the Greater Victoria School Board. Well-intended readings, training, and the restructuring of committees are not enough to bring about the needed change marginalized people seeking equality deserve.

Sincerely,

Taki Niketas, Co-Founder FOVH, Vic High Grad 83      

Stephen Dorsey, Co-Founder, FOVH, Vic High Grad 84

Esther Callo, Co-Founder FOVH, Fernwood Resident and Parent of Two Vic High Grads 

Dr. Richard Hunt, CM, OBC  - ‘Gwe-la-yo-gwe-la-gya-les’ ,                    FOVH Member, Vic High Grad 71

About the Friends of Vic High

The Friends of Vic High (FOVH) is a group of community advocates and Vic High

alumni who are seeking the originally envisioned Memorial Stadium Revitalization Project for Vic High built and delivered as promised. The FOVH's sole interest is to advocate for the rights of current and future students of Vic High as it relates to this project and to advocate for equitable treatment and opportunity for all students. To date, more than 1000 concerned citizens have signed the Change.org petition in support of the FOVH. https://www.change.org/savevichightrack

Facebook: Friends of Vic High

Change.org Petition: https://www.change.org/savevichightrack

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnEhdLNcSgs

Photo Credit: BC Government