Mackenzie, B.C. – Prince George school trustees have passed a motion, brought forth by trustee and vice-chair Trish Bella,  aimed at improving communication with rural communities within the Prince George School District.

The motion expands the role of the trustee liaison for Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount to expand outreach efforts to include (but not be limited to) mayors and councils in these communities for the 2017/2018 school year.

Trustees Bella, Sharel Warrington, Brenda Hooker and Tim Bennett voted in favour while Trustees Bob Harris and Bruce Wiebe voted against. Trustee Tony Cable abstained.

“I picked these because these are the communities asking us for regional representation. It formalizes it for the next year while we wait to hear back from the Ministry of Education.”

“I’m confused by this because I thought this was common practice. Do we need to be this specific?,” said Trustee Tony Cable.

Trustee Harris added “There’s a need to clarify the role” before he would support it.

The moves come as the Board awaits a decision by the Ministry of Education regarding a request for regional representation.

That request has been spearheaded by District of Mackenzie Mayor Pat Crook who wants trustees elected via a “ward system” as opposed to the current “at large system.”

Crook has the support of the mayors of Valemount and McBride along with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

A ward system would see one trustee elected to represent Mackenzie, another for the Robson Valley, and the remaining five in Prince George.

A second motion brought forth by Trustee Bella aimed at holding monthly meetings in Valemount, McBride and Mackenzie each school year failed to receive a seconder and died on the floor