Education Minister replaces Vancouver school board with official trustee
By Nelson Daily Staff
BC Education Minister Mike Bernier fired the entire board of the Vancouver School District Monday, saying the elected members failed to comply with the School Act.
“The Vancouver school board has been dismissed for failing to comply with the School Act which required the board to adopt a balanced budget by June 30, 2016,” Bernier said in a media release Monday.
“Dianne Turner has been appointed as official trustee for the district.”
Bernier said his decision was taken despite the possibility of the Vancouver School Board passing a balanced budget.
“It is impossible to have any confidence that a potential last-minute change of position on the district budget signals a fundamental change in the attitude which has so far led the board to refuse to follow the law,” Bernier said.
“What we have witnessed from the Vancouver school board is a misplaced focus on political tactics rather than responsible stewardship.”
“In addition to the fact of non-compliance, since the end of June there have been a number of publicly-reported developments which are causing concern about stability in Vancouver schools for students,” Bernier added.
Bernie said the BC School Superintendents Association informed my ministry of troubling allegations regarding trustees and a workplace that has become toxic for staff. WorkSafeBC is looking into allegations of bullying.
“I have received letters of concern from people inside the school district. A large number of senior district staff are off on medical leave,” Bernier said.
Bernir said Special Advisor Peter Milburn was appointed to report on the VSB’s financial and governance practices. He said Milburn’s draft report deeply concerns him.
“It was my desire to release that report today,” Bernier said.
“Instead, due to a privacy complaint that has been publicly reported, the appropriate course is to wait for the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to complete its privacy investigation.”
Bernier said parents in Vancouver and the province are counting on Turner to end the continuing turmoil that has dominated the Vancouver school board for too long.
“After restoring order in district operations, it will be her job to work with her district team and develop a plan that puts Vancouver back on a firm financial footing while further accelerating seismic upgrades and preserving education services for students,” Bernier said.
Longtime board member Patti Bacchus said Monday on Twitter, “I’m proud to have been a trustee who has always put Vancouver kids and families first. I will continue to be their advocate.”
Turner taught for 13 years as a science teacher and department head in the Vancouver school district before becoming a vice-principal.
She held this position at various schools for several years, and then became principal at Point Grey secondary. Following four years at Point Grey, Turner was appointed as the principal at Eric Hamber secondary for five years.
In August 2008, Turner became the assistant superintendent at the Delta school district. After two years in this position, she took on the role of leading the Delta school district as superintendent. Turner was in this role for six years before being hired as B.C.’s chief educator in August 2016.
Quick Facts:
- An official trustee, appointed under the School Act, assumes all the duties and responsibilities typically required of a board of education, including the obligations to conduct public board meetings and community consultations.
- Turner’s appointment as official trustee is for one year, with the option to extend.
