Former Hamilton school board student trustees call for change at the board

Ahona Mehdi, and other former Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board student trustees are calling for immediate action and accountability at the board.

This comes after Mehdi, who just finished her term, came forward with allegations of racism and oppression.

Following those allegations, the board promised a third-party investigation.

In a press conference Monday, Mehdi and other former student trustees gave more details about their experiences.

They did not name the trustees who they allege were racist but say there were more than two, and that the other trustees heard and were silent.

Former student trustee for the HWDSB @AhonaMehdi and others spoke at the HWDSB headquaters and called out Director Manny Figueiredo and Chair Alex Johnstone demanding real change. Mehdi says she felt like a “token” on the board, & felt silenced. https://t.co/6nydYRKeCJ

— Kelly Botelho (@botelhok) August 3, 2020

HWDSB Chair Alex Johnstone says she doesn’t remember these situations but isn’t denying they happened.

Meanwhile, board director Manny Figueiredo says he was “shocked” to hear these allegations and wants to get the investigation going as soon as possible.

Mehdi and another former student trustee say they feel as though they were “tokens,” only there to tick off a diversity box.

They say they were not actually there to be heard or bring about change.