School board takes next step in response to Oakville teacher’s provocative outfit

Oakville | Halton | Ontario | Education | Latest News |

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Published February 15, 2023 at 11:42 am

A former Oakville Trafalgar High School teacher who made worldwide headlines with her large prosthetic breasts is returning to the classroom this September in Hamilton. FACEBOOK PHOTO

The Halton District School Board (HDSB) is set to provide an update at a meeting tonight (Feb. 15) on a new dress code for educators in response to a controversy surrounding an Oakville high school teacher who sports tight tops revealing large prosthetic breasts and protruding nipples.

The Halton board has come under pressure to deal with the matter surrounding the Oakville Trafalgar High School shop teacher that began last September and has attracted worldwide attention and led to protests outside the school and even threats of violence.

Curtis Ennis, the Board’s Director of Education, will provide an update on the policy dealing with standards of dress for educators put forth in early January by a majority of trustees responding to the outcry.

A full professionalism policy, including a dress code, is expected by March 1st.

Ennis had previously insisted the Board could not lay out a dress code for teachers and other educators due to equity and human rights issues.

But a local parents group made it clear late last year that they were upset that nothing has been done to enforce professional standards.

Students First Ontario said the HDSB has allowed the situation to “grow” into an international controversy.

“OTHS and the HDSB have not only failed to address the situation, they have endorsed the teacher’s actions by refusing to uphold any dress code for teachers,” read the group’s GoFundMe campaign set up to pursue legal action.

“This is despite the fact that a dress code applies to students enrolled at the school.”

Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce has noted that there must be the highest of standards of professionalism in front of students.

“On that basis I’ve asked the Ontario College of Teachers to review and to consider strengthening those provisions with respect to professional conduct, which we think would be in the interest of all kids in Ontario,” Lecce told a group of reporters back in late September of 2022.

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