OCDSB Trustee Tracker

Board of Trustees

School board trustees are elected officials who are supposed to serve the community and, above all, students.

Parents of Black Children has taken the time to evaluate the performance of trustees, record any instances of anti-Black racism, and also share information about trustees who are strong advocates.

While trustees with limited information may not have instances of anti-Black racism or strong advocacy that ends up in the news, their silence speaks volumes. Silence is complicity in the harm perpetuated against Black students and their families in Ontario schools. Trustees must actively stand up for what is right and make their support for the the fight against anti-Black racism in Ontario schools known.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is constantly evolving. If you have information to share about the conduct of trustees, please email us at [email protected]

Donna Blackburn (Barrhaven/Knoxdale-Merivale)

Issues: In March of 2020, Donna Blackburn posted on Facebook about a Black teenager playing basketball by himself at a local park, stating “I have called by-law and will stand here until they come…I will follow him home if I have to.” She also shared a picture of the teen. Click here for more.

She was censured by the board, but refused to resign despited calls for her resignation from both the board and the Minister of Education.

Lyra Evans (Zone 9 Rideau-Vanier/Capital)

Issues: None. Lyra Evans has advocated for the removal of police from OCDSB schools despite opposition from the majority of other trustees. She has succesfully defunded police officers at 2 high schoools in her district. This is an important step towards ensuring the safety and equity of Black and other racialized youth in OCDSB schools.

She frequently uses her Twitter account to call attention to racism in the OCDSB and general Ottawa area.

An openly trans woman, Trustee Evans is also a fierce advocate for LGBTQ students.

Justine Bell (Zone 10 Somerset/Kitchissippi)

Issues: None. Justine Bell has advocated for the removal of police from OCDSB schools despite opposition from the majority of other trustees. This is an important step towards ensuring the safety and equity of Black and other racialized youth in OCDSB schools.

Chris Ellis (Zone 6 Rideau – Rockcliffe/Alta Vista)

Issues: None. Chris Ellis has advocated for the removal of police from OCDSB schools despite opposition from the majority of other trustees. This is an important step towards ensuring the safety and equity of Black and other racialized youth in OCDSB schools.