Prince George, B.C. – A busy public input session at tonight’s monthly Prince George public school board meeting.

• Don Sabo was present on behalf of Tribal Chief Terry Teegee of the Carrier Sekani Council who is out of the country on a business trip asking for more clarification on the district’s Policy 1231 – the Aboriginal Education Board Policy. Sabo, a former member of the Aboriginal Education Board before it was disbanded three years ago – said the change appeared to be “in name only.” He said repeated attempts (since Nov.11, 2016) seeking clarifications on the Education Committee have not yet been acknowledged by the district.
  

  Don Sabo, former member of the now disbanded Aboriginal Education Board – photo 250News

• Elliott Harder, director of Ness Lake Bible Camp, told the board the camp has changed its policies to be more inclusive of the school districts LGBTQ community. He said a meeting with senior school district administration last spring raising such concerns was “a devastating meeting for us.” He said since that time the camp has also met with the district’s LGBTQ advisory committee and is hopeful the camp will once again be a destination for school field trips, camps and end-of-year celebrations.
• Joanne Hapke, first vice-president of the Prince George and District Teachers’ Association, asked the board put pressure on the provincial government to act on this month’s Supreme Court of Canada decision which ruled the province must negotiate class and composition with the BC Teachers’ Federation. “We want the supports back in our classroom. I challenge the people in this room to make the changes necessary.”
• CUPE Local 3742 president Karen Wong said her union needs “some HR help” to “alleviate the problem with casual replacements.” She said there are currently only 21 casual education assistants to cover sick days. She said more are needed noting “it puts a strain on the education system.
• Gillian Burnett, president of the Prince George District Parent Advisory Council complained that the parking lots at Spruceland Traditional Elementary and Glenview Elementary remain unpaved to the disappointment of parents at both schools.

The Board will gather again in two weeks for its inaugural meeting.