A new policy is now in effect at TDSB schools following an internal investigation into the drowning death of 15 year old CW Jeffreys Collegiate student Jeremiah Perry on an Algonquin Park school trip earlier this summer.

Director of education John Malloy says all future trips of this type will be approved only after the principal of a school sees documents proving all students have passed swim tests, and all participating students and their parents will see the results of the tests before the trips.

Malloy held a news conference yesterday and explained that Jeremiah was one of 15 students who went on the excursion despite failing a required swim test.

“We trust our staff. Our staff are professionals and they do great work for kids every day. We have procedures in place to ensure safety and effective programming and anytime that doesn’t happen as it should, it’s exceptionally troubling and very upsetting and it is tragic and that is what we’re dealing with today,” Malloy confessed.

Malloy says the teachers involved are on home assignment. He said they will be disciplined in accordance with board policies, with consideration for the other investigations into the case. Ontario Provincial Police’s Renfrew County Crime Unit also has an ongoing investigation into the drowning.