VSB dismissal ‘shocking’ and undemocratic says Vancouver’s mayor
Posted October 17, 2016 4:25 pm.
Last Updated October 18, 2016 6:26 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Mayor Gregor Robertson says he’s “very surprised” to hear BC’s Minister of Education dismissed the entire Vancouver School Board, and he considers the move disrespectful to voters.
Minister Mike Bernier fired all nine VSB trustees Monday, citing a failure to pass a balanced budget by June 30, allegations of trustees bullying staff, and the contents of a draft audit. The board was supposed to vote tonight to approve the same budget they rejected in June.
“There are big questions to be asked about how an Education Minister could fire a school board that’s democratically elected and was about to pass the budget,” Mayor Gregor Robertson says. “I don’t think appointing school trustees respects Vancouver voters and the wishes of Vancouverites to keep schools open.”
Robertson says he is concerned about “unbelievable” provincial funding cuts the VSB “has endured for years.”
“Clearly (the provincial government) don’t have the interest of Vancouver kids first and foremost,” he says.
Not all of the VSB trustees, however, were concerned with the cuts. Former NPA trustee Christopher Richardson said he was only surprised by the timing since it has been months since the board rejected the proposed budget which included $20 million in cuts.
NPA trustee Stacy Robertson said she respects the minister’s decision because “something needed to be done.”
Robertson says he doesn’t understand why trustees would be alright with their dismissal given the upcoming vote.
“I think our school board trustee did good work for Vancouver kids and now it’s bizarre to see some of the trustees thinking it’s a good idea that they’re no longer trustees as elected by the people of Vancouver,” he says.
Robertson encouraged parents to relay any concerns they have with the dismissal and the board to the Ministry of Education.
