A Grade 10 student is questioning the Waterloo Region District School Board after learning it spent about $175,000 to rename a high school in Waterloo, Ont.
The school, formerly called Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School, was renamed Laurel Heights Secondary School in 2022. Trustees voted for the change in 2021 because of Canada’s first prime minister’s connection to the residential school system.
Student Ishan Acharya found out the cost through a freedom of information request. Most of the money went toward replacing sports uniforms and equipment.
School board director Scott Miller said the renaming was part of the board’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and followed discussions with students, parents, staff, Indigenous communities and others. He added that the costs were expected as part of the process.
