November 3/14: Education Policy: Defeat of District Code of Conduct Shows Lack of Leadership

You had to be there. And I wasn’t, due to not wanting to cough in paroxysms all through the meeting (yes, that cold / flu thing). But the Twitter report captures what went on.
Following Robert’s Rules and the Board’s own Bylaws has been said on various occasions to be “not our process” by some long-time SD61 Trustees. Now, apparently, we can add “following the requirements of the School Act of British Columbia”  to that.

 

Education Policy Packup for Nov 3 20152013-2014-stand committees

Education Policy Development Committee November 3, 2014
Chair: Alpha      Absent: Ferris, Leonard      Regrets: McNally
The only motion on the agenda:

  • Nohr: That the Board of Education of School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) develop through a review process at the Education Policy and Operations, Policy and Planning meetings a District Code of Conduct which would be relevant and appropriate for students, parents/guardians, community members, staff, and district employees who attend our schools; the engagement process with partner groups to be determined at a later date.

The School Act, British Columbia states:

Power and capacity

85  (1) For the purposes of carrying out its powers, functions and duties under this Act, a board has the power and capacity of a natural person of full capacity.

(1.1) Without limiting subsection (1), a board must, subject to this Act and the regulations, and in accordance with Provincial standards established by the minister, establish a code of conduct for students enrolled in educational programs provided by the board.

 Must.
But let’s move on.
The meeting in tweets:
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga @EdithLK [Trustee]Yes the 1st time that IN-CAMERA Board/Committee meeting was listed on the regular agenda for the public to see
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  Lots of discussion on whether or not shld have a District Code of Conduct in addition to the School Code of Conduct
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  Trustee Horsman tried to table ‘s Code of Conduct motion but it failed now closing comments by Nohr
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga   Incredible emotional pleas by several parents, teachers & trustees on why should have a District Code of Conduct
  •  Edith Loring-KuhangaCindy rep says that she wishes that there wld be genuine and collective vision to develop a District Code of Conduct
  • Rob Paynter @RobPaynterSD61 [parent] Déjà vu – 3 years after I identified lack of district code of conduct, same trustees are trying to avoid creating district code
  • Rob Paynter  Can’t believe crap I’m hearing about codes of conduct. So disappointed Bev Horsman is working so hard to shut down any conversation
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga @DeborahNohr [Trustee] states in her closing comments, Board of Education would be negligent in not having a Code of Conduct
  • Deborah Nohr @DeborahNohr [Trustee]  School Act directs trustees to establish Code of Conduct-Orcherton doesn’t understnd the need & Horsman says it is top down#yyj
  • Edith Loring-KuhangaNot surprising @DeborahNohr motion on having a District Code of Conduct failed -3 for & 3 against (Orcherton, Horsman, McEvoy)
  • Deborah Nohr Shocking! District Code of Conduct motion voted down by Chair Orcherton, Horsman & McEvoy
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  Thank you @treatyarbroath [Chair Catherine Alpha] for allowing parents, staff & trustees to have a frank discussion on Code of Conduct
  • Diane McNally @DianeMcN [Trustee] So sorry I missed this mtng. THE cold,coughing, all that. What possible reason could there be to defeat this?
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga   At the end of the mtng Trustee Bev Horsman gives Notice of Motion asking the Culture Committee to report back to the Board [Culture and Community Ad Hoc Committee formed in 2012; no reports so far so this would be ….nice]
  • Renay M. @renaymo [parent] Trustees who defeated motion to develop dist. wide codes of conduct with community to address sexism, racism and bullying need to go.
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  Do you think that a School District Culture Committee should have some sitting on it? Not
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga Time for the old guard to change at board table – Students & Staff need new ideas & open minded Trustees
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga Do you believe that ALL School Districts should have a District Code of Conduct? Vote 4 change on
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga If you value your children, vote for change : Ann Whiteaker
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  THANK U for sharing your daughter’s exp in being bullied-Trustees have a responsibility-Act Sec. 85 1 & 2
  • Renay M. Board meeting tonight, Bev Horsman suggested that a sexual assault victim should be charged for defending herself
  • Renay M.  stories were shared, victim tried to get help, system failed, she fought back, Horsman said she was guilty of crime
  • Renay M.  yes, she repeatedly stated that the young woman should have been charged, that her violence was wrong
  • Renay M. Trustee Bev Horsman you ARE . Suggesting a victim AND perpetrator are “both wrong” if she fights back???
  • Rob PaynterJudging student victim who struck back against her student assailant when admin failed 2 support; Bev Horsman not your finest hour
  • Renay M.  Board of Education needs to reflect the needs of those it serves, not serve those who need control
  • Diane McNally  How many times can I favourite that? Imagine what goes on in camera. Someone is printing this right now to smack me with it later.
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga Yes it’s unfortunate how some have lost sight of the real reason that they were elected-2 represent the public!
  • Deborah NohrThanks to Renay, Theresa, Jonah, Cindy and Ruth for coming and speaking to the need for a Code of Conduct
  • Renay M. I want candidates who care. I want as my Trustees.
  • Renay M.  for engaged and accountable Trustees: :
  • Renay M.Saw a lack of respect at Board meeting, for democracy, community input, and young women has to go.
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  Sad but true! Time for REAL CHANGE
  • Edith Loring-Kuhanga  Time for the old guard to change at board table – Students & Staff need new ideas & open minded Trustees
  • Renay M. Six picks for : progressive candidates, engaged and accountable mandate.

gvta endorsement

Renay M. Still reeling from meeting last night… is not abstract thing on campuses, its in our systems
                  __________________________________________________
Examples:  BC School District Codes of Conduct
SD61 Greater Victoria has school based codes of conduct,  dfferent in every school, and various conduct policies, some of which apply only to employees (4116 Sexual Harassment, last reviewed 1998; 4304 Bullying and Harassment developed in 2013);  Policy 5131.0  Personal Safety and Security, developed 1993 and never reviewed, addresses “violence in schools”. Various Policies address threats (1993), weapons (1993). SD61 does have a Trustee Code of Ethics, Policy 8251.

brick wall

About Diane McNally