Classes continue at Halton school board despite receiving threat

The Halton public school board says classes will continue as scheduled Thursday despite receiving another hateful anonymous threat.

The Halton District School Board confirmed in an email that it was notified Wednesday of the threat, but it did not name specific schools.

“Some Oakville schools have received threats over the past few weeks and months,” said Heather Francey, manager of communications and engagement at the HDSB.

She said the board immediately shared the threat with the Halton Regional Police Service, who is now investigating.

READ MORE: Oakville Trafalgar High School receives 3rd bomb threat in 3 weeks

The education director of HDSB also sent a letter to families and staff to inform them of the threat.

“We understand this is unnerving and we appreciate, and share, those concerns. While all threats are treated seriously, we believe these threats lack credibility and are more rooted in hateful mischief than high-level risk,” Curtis Ennis said.

Yesterday’s incident marks the fourth threat since mid-November, and comes after the HDSB made the decision to not intervene in how a teacher presents themselves in class, citing protection under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

READ MORE: School board allows Oakville teacher to continue wearing prosthetic breasts

The transgender teacher at Oakville Trafalgar High School garnered international attention after photos and videos of them were shared on Twitter, showing them wearing massive prosthetic breasts.

A number of students and parents said the shop teacher’s appearance was “distracting” and “inappropriate.”

The images of the teacher shared online also led to a protest at the school on Sept. 23, where participants got rowdy and said children should be “protected.”

READ MORE: Protest held over Oakville Trafalgar high school teacher’s large prosthetic breasts