'I did not commit any wrongdoing': LBPSB chair will not step down

CTV Montreal: Ethics breach The chair of the Lester B. Pearson School Board refuses to step down after admitting she breached the code of ethics.

The Chair of the Lester B. Pearson School Board is not going to resign despite making multiple breaches of the board's code of ethics.

"I was elected by 5500 people and there were a few here that asked me to resign. No I will not," said Suanne Stein Day.

LBPSB staff members first complained about Stein Day's behaviour nearly a year ago, with principals and vice-principals among those accusing Stein Day of spreading "gossip" and "lies."

One letter of complaint said Stein Day committed an "abuse of power" and had "a lack of professionalism, dignity, and discretion."

The board's ethics commissioner determined in August that Stein Day had violated three separate articles of the board's code of ethics on multiple occasions. The board, however, is powerless to take any action against Stein Day.

At Monday's board meeting, Stein Day acknowledged the ethics commissioner had found she violated the board's code of ethics.

"I certainly recognize that I am not perfect and I made some mistakes but what I did I always did because I believed it was in the best interests of the board," said Stein Day.

But in speaking to reporters immediately afterward, Stein Day denied doing anything wrong.

"I did not commit any wrongdoing if you're talking legal or moral wrongdoings. Really it was just a matter of understanding better my role. There are some people who thought I interfered with the day-to-day management of the organization," said Stein Day.

She also denied harassing people and using foul language.

"I didn't see that anywhere," said Stein Day.

Several people who filed complaints against Stein Day have been fired, demoted, or otherwise reassigned, but Stein Day denied having anything to do with those actions.

"No one was fired, reassigned or demoted because of these letters," she said.

During the meeting citizen after citizen called on Stein Day to resign.

"Madame, resign. You're doing nobody any good. None," said frequent school board critic Chris Eustace.

Others said that if Stein Day believed in responsibility, she would step down.

"Madame, don't you understand the word ''accountability?' You can't just sit there and ignore what's going on," said John Ranger, who is on the governing board at Verdun Elementary School.

Others were blunt.

"In the name of god, go!" said Jim Wilson, past president of the Pearson Teachers Union.

Stein Day remained steadfast, urging instead the public to "move past" the scandal.

"Those people who you heard tonight have anger and hostility towards our board, they have anger and hostility towards me, and this may add to it but it's never going to change," said Stein Day.

She added she still has the confidence of those who elected her, and the full support of the council.