Dear St. Paul's community,

The TDSB has arrived at the required enrollment indicators that will allow for the Africentric School to open in September 2009. Although I disagree with this path, I wish success on any school in Toronto that has students in it. It is always important to move forward.

However, reasonable questions still remain unanswered. I will be asking at board about how the school will functionally accommodate 40-60 kids, coming from grades ranging from K-5, in two consecutive classes. Aside from the differences of opinion on the Africentric school proposal itself, it is my candid observation that the school board has not put this together in a prudent, realistic or sensible manner from the start. I will raise questions about how we have managed finances on this project and the need for a costly enrollment and public relations campaign.

The debate over the Africentric School has always been, for most of us, about how best to support students and communities in our city who are marginalized and in need of our support. There are well-meaning and thoughtful people on both sides of this discussion and I believe that the very fact that this discussion has happened, and continues, is a very good thing for us all.

I will continue to advocate for a reformed curriculum that is better reflective of the diversity of Toronto and more meaningful equity training for our system so that, eventually, all of our city's 557 public schools will be accessible, supportive and reflective of each and every one of our students. I believe that our students want to go to school with their friends, no matter what their respective backgrounds might be.

This has always been our common destination. There has simply been a passionate disagreement on exactly how to arrive there.

Sincerely,

Josh Matlow
Trustee for St. Paul's
Toronto District School Board
www.joshmatlow.ca