[Vancouver, B.C. – August 3, 2017] The British Columbia School Trustees Association commends BC Minister of Education, Rob Fleming for his recent announcement which will see the return of a democratically elected board to the Vancouver School District by way of a by-election, taking place on October 14, 2017. 

The Vancouver School Board recently rejoined the BCSTA as members, and the Association looks forward to offering assistance to the new board as it takes on the challenges of governance once elected.

“We are here to offer our assistance to the Vancouver School District, so that we can work together to restore, rebuild and revitalize the locally elected representation in Vancouver’s public education system,” said BCSTA President Gordon Swan. “We look forward to working with the newly elected board in their important role as representatives of local families and community members.” 

“The BCSTA and our membership agree that every community in British Columbia deserves access to locally elected representation in order to make certain that the school system is effectively meeting the needs of local families. We are encouraged that the government has taken this step to restore a democratically elected board to the residents of Vancouver, but are puzzled as to why the residents of the North Okanagan Shuswap School District are not being provided the same opportunity. As a result, we call on the minister to actively work to help restore a democratically elected board of education to this district as well.” 

During a BCSTA provincial council meeting in October of 2016, a motion was passed urging the Ministry of Education to set dates for by-elections in the North Okanagan-Shuswap and Vancouver School Districts.