ABOVE: School Board investigates after Vice Principal wears black face for Halloween. Carey Marsden reports.
TORONTO – Peel school board officials are investigating whether a high school vice principal wore blackface as part of his Halloween costume.
A photo circulating on Twitter Monday appeared to show a vice principal at Mayfield Secondary School in Caledon, dressed as Mr. T. He’s wearing several necklaces, a jean jacket and donning blackface in the photo.
School board officials were first alerted of the photo on Halloween and say they immediately started investigating.
But ahead of the investigation’s conclusion, Director of Education Tony Pontes apologized in a statement for any “hurt caused by this incident.”
“Our board does not condone or tolerate actions of this type,” he said in the statement. “Our school board has a long and unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion.”
He added: “This incident is a reminder to us that our good work around equity and inclusion is never done and that we must continue to educate ourselves, our staff and students around racism, discrimination and stereotyping.”
The investigation is expected to conclude Tuesday but officials say they won’t be able to divulge what, if any, punishment the administrator will face because it’s a personnel matter.
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