Education Minister Paul Calandra has indicated that he is prepared to intervene if an Ontario school board does not reinstate prom plans for three high schools that recently scrapped the traditional event. The decision to cancel the proms at three schools within the Durham District School Board was made due to concerns raised by the principals regarding escalating liabilities and associated risks.
The students at these schools expressed dismay and frustration at the prospect of not being able to partake in the customary celebration that many of their peers have enjoyed. Calandra emphasized the significance of prom as a commemoration of achievements and a pivotal milestone in students’ lives, stressing the importance of ensuring that such events can be organized safely.
In response to the cancellations, Calandra issued a stern message to school boards contemplating similar actions, urging them to reconsider their stance on proms. He underscored the need for school boards to prioritize the well-being of students and educators in their decision-making processes, aligning with his ongoing efforts to revamp board governance, with a particular emphasis on the role of trustees.
The Education Minister emphasized the need to allow students to embrace their youth and emphasized that he would not hesitate to intervene if necessary to safeguard students’ interests. A proposed bill currently under review in the legislature aims to grant the minister expanded powers, potentially enabling him to intervene in situations involving school boards, including decisions related to proms.
The Durham District School Board has yet to provide a response to requests for comment following the prom cancellations at Brooklin, Brock, and Uxbridge high schools. The principals of these schools issued a joint letter to parents explaining their decision to forego traditional proms, assuring that alternative activities focusing on inclusivity, safety, and unity would be organized to recognize students’ achievements and foster a sense of community.