It was an apology that was seven months in the making.

Charline Grant was sitting in the front row with her family Tuesday evening during a meeting of the York Region District School Board in Newmarket when interim director of education Kathi Wallace turned to her and read a prepared statement.

"The board apologizes to Charline Grant personally and to her family for this failure." Wallace said.

The failure Wallace referred to was the use of a racial slur directed at Grant by one of the board's former trustees last November.

The apology was part of an mediated settlement that was reached after Grant launched a Human Rights Tribunal application against the board. Grant specifically took issue with Nancy Elgie, who was overheard using the N-word when referring to Grant at a school board meeting. Elgie resigned from the board in February as a result.

When Wallace finished reading the apology, Grant walked over to her and gave her a hug. The room erupted in applause.

Kathi Wallace delivers apology to Charline Grant at the York District School Board meeting Tuesday evening. (Michael Cole/CBC)

"Finally, It feels like closure," Grant said moments later. "I feel satisfied, I feel vindicated, I feel like the board finally is heading in the right direction."

Grant only wishes this moment came months ago.

"Personally, I would've rather the closure [happened] a lot earlier, but it's still good."

The interim director of education also apologized to Grant and other parents for the way the board handled past complaints of racial discrimination against students.

Grant had come forward with allegations that her son faced discrimination at his Woodbridge-area school because of his race.

Soon after, many other parents made similar complaints against the board.

A ministerial review said parents characterized the board's response to their complaints as hostile, dismissive, arrogant and inappropriate.

"The board apologizes to parents and community members that this is how they experienced the board's response to human rights complaints." Wallace said, "including complaints about black racism."

Wallace assured parents that the board is committed to taking proactive steps to improve its response to matters such as this in the future.

Charline Grant speaks to the media after receiving an apology from the York Region District School Board for a racial slur by a former trustee. (Michael Cole/CBC)

Grant says she has since moved her son to a new school.

"His experience is completely different," she said, "The administrative staff ... has just been exceptional and welcoming to him."

But Grant says, while this apology is a step in the right direction, the board still has work to do.

"There's so much to do, not only for my children but all marginalized children. Children that feel discriminated against."