Rohit Gupta, the supervisor appointed by the Education Minister for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), has decided not to rename three schools despite recommendations from school trustees. The schools affected are Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute, Ryerson Community School, and Dundas Junior Public School.
The potential renaming of these schools stemmed from their controversial historical legacies. Sir John A. Macdonald is associated with the Indian Act and the establishment of residential schools, while Egerton Ryerson is similarly linked to these issues. Additionally, Henry Dundas has ties to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, which prompted the recent renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square in May.
Gupta's decision indicates that the current school naming procedures may be revised if Bill 33, known as the Supporting Children and Students Act, is enacted into law. This bill could influence how schools are named in the future.
Gupta was appointed as the TDSB supervisor on June 27, following what Education Minister Paul Calandra described as financial mismanagement within the board. His appointment is part of a broader initiative that includes five school board takeovers.