Brandon School Division Establishes Safe Schools Committees

The Brandon School Division has introduced a framework for new safe schools advisory committees aimed at enhancing safety, inclusivity, and well-being within its schools. This initiative follows a significant meeting in June where over 20 concerned parents and community representatives voiced their worries about safety and incidents of racism in local schools.

At the board meeting, parents, many of whom wore black in solidarity, expressed their concerns following a racially motivated attack on **Chinonso Onuke**, a Nigerian-Canadian student at **École secondaire Neelin High School**. The meeting’s emotional atmosphere underscored the urgency of addressing these critical issues.

Superintendent Mathew Gustafson outlined the committees’ purpose during the board’s first general meeting of the school year. He stated that the committees will work to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and community members. Their responsibilities will include reviewing the division’s safety plan, identifying well-being concerns, and recommending prevention and intervention strategies.

“The committee will also review policies such as the code of conduct, digital citizenship, anti-bullying measures, and risk response,” Gustafson said. He added that monitoring incident reports and attendance will be essential in guiding the planning process. Recommendations from the committees will be shared with parent councils and school communities, with annual summaries provided at the divisional level.

The structure of the committees is designed to reflect a cross-section of the school community. Suggested members include principals or vice-principals, teachers, support staff, parents, students, and representatives from local organizations such as police and fire services. Gustafson emphasized the importance of maintaining a minimum membership to ensure diverse representation.

“If you restricted it to just two, it might be difficult to have a representative committee of the school community,” he noted. Participation in the committees will be voluntary, aimed at making members feel comfortable joining.

During the meeting, trustee Calistus Ekenna raised inquiries about the involvement of cultural groups, such as the **United Nigerians in Brandon Association**. Gustafson clarified that while the school division would not dictate membership, communities could select their representatives, encouraging volunteers to participate.

Each committee will convene at least four times a year, with the option to meet more frequently as needed. Gustafson pointed out that schools such as **Alexander School** and **Crocus Plains High School** may have different needs, highlighting the necessity for tailored responses rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Feedback from principals will be disseminated to staff, parents, and students as the committees begin to form. Board chair Linda Ross suggested further discussions on the initiative should occur during the next joint meeting with the **Brandon City Council**.

“The terms of reference will be reviewed periodically to ensure they remain responsive to the safety needs of schools and the broader community,” Gustafson concluded, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to improving school safety in Brandon.