School District 83 Board of Education: Back row- Barry Chafe, Chris Coers, Michel Saab, Bobbi Johnson, Bob Fowler. Front - Larissa Lutjen, Kelly Rowe, Jenn Wilchuk and Debbie Evans.
Image Credit: School District 83
May 20, 2016 - 6:30 PM
SALMON ARM - A special advisor’s report on the inner workings of School District 83 has been received by the province, but won’t likely be made public for some time.
The report, prepared by special advisor Liz Watson, looked at governance practices and budgeting in the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District after the resignations of three trustees.
The Ministry of Education confirmed today, May 20, it has received the report, but doesn’t expect to release a statement on the findings and recommendations until next week. The report could be released to the public after the Board of Education receives it, but neither the Ministry nor the School District could say when that might be.
The School District has said the cost of the report — an estimate of which has not been released — is expected to be split 50/50 with the Ministry of Education. School trustees asked for the review back in April.
In their letters of resignation, trustees pointed to dysfunction within the board as part of their reason for stepping down.
The resignations and the special review come after parents discovered $10.5 million in surplus funds were transferred from the operating budget and used in part to pay for a new $9 million District Education Centre and $1 million works yard building.
Parents and the North Okanagan-Shuswap Teachers’ Association have declared a loss of confidence in the board of education.
A byelection is expected to be held in June to fill the vacant trustee seats.
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