HSD Board of Trustees Issue Statement
Steinbach, MB. – Feb. 17, 2022 – The Board of Trustees would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to the staff of Steinbach Regional Secondary School and the senior administration of Hanover School Division for their professionalism in managing the difficult situation that unfolded during the school protest on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. They navigated complex and challenging circumstances while keeping students safe and working to minimize the disruption to classes and daycare operations.
Although those who organized/attended the protest may have intended for the demonstration to be peaceful, protests involving large crowds are fluid and can become volatile. As such, the RCMP and school staff needed to take precautionary steps to ensure that the protest (which included unknown adults) remained outside of the school facility. Failure to do so could have led to additional verbal and physical confrontations within the school and unpredictable outcomes. The Board of Trustees is in full support of the decision by school staff to issue a Hold and Secure, which resulted in the locking of entry/exit doors.
Protesting is a fundamental right in Canada and an essential part of our democracy. However, protesting on school or daycare property is not an appropriate place. It was disheartening and disappointing to learn how this protest disrupted the school day and instilled fear in some of our students. Schools should be places where students learn, develop, grow and explore, not where they feel unsafe. As a Board, we respect the right to protest peacefully but urge all protestors to remain off school property during such demonstrations.
Board of Trustees
Hanover School Division