WRDSB and Retired Teacher Settle $1.75M Lawsuit

After extensive legal actions involving two levels of court, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has resolved a lawsuit filed by a retired teacher for $1.75 million. The settlement, which was achieved through mediation, comes four years after the initial concerns raised by the teacher.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit originated in January 2022 when Carolyn Burjoski presented issues regarding certain books in elementary school libraries. Her main concern was about books addressing gender identity and sexuality, particularly a title called *The Other Boy* by MG Hennessey. This book features the story of a person born female who now identifies as a boy.

Burjoski’s Experience

• During her presentation, Burjoski voiced concerns about the appropriateness of the material.
• She was removed from the meeting by former board chair Scott Piatkowski.
• Piatkowski stated that her remarks may have violated the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• The board voted narrowly against allowing her to continue her presentation.

Burjoski claimed to have faced accusations of transphobia and was threatened with disciplinary actions following her criticisms. She stated, “I believe we may be living through one of the most serious medical scandals in modern history.” According to her, the WRDSB had 106 copies of *The Other Boy* distributed across K-6 libraries.

Legal Proceedings

As public interest grew in the case, Burjoski filed a discrimination lawsuit against WRDSB in May 2022. The school board attempted to dismiss the case multiple times, but their motions were rejected, including an anti-SLAPP motion aimed at nullifying the case. They later appealed these decisions, but the appeals were also unsuccessful.

Burjoski highlighted the significance of their wins in both the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal, marking a legal precedent regarding anti-SLAPP actions.

Settlement and Aftermath

In a recent statement, WRDSB confirmed that the lawsuit has been settled through mediation. They noted, “As a party to the agreement, we cannot offer further comments on the matter.” The specifics of the settlement remain undisclosed.

This case highlights ongoing discussions about educational materials and the complexities of addressing issues related to gender identity in schools. The WRDSB and Burjoski’s case may have lasting implications for school policies surrounding similar topics in the future.