It’s a new era for the north Okanagan school district and the recently appointed trustee, Mike McKay, made that clear at the first public board meeting since he was hired.
McKay came on board as the only trustee for the North Okanagan Shuswap board of education last month after the province fired all members of the previous board.
READ MORE: North Okanagan Shuswap school board fired, new trustee appointed
At Tuesday night’s meeting, McKay told the full-house crowd in attendance, comprising of mainly parents as well as school district staff, that they’ll be moving forward in a respectful and transparent fashion.
In a synopsis of the meeting, the board of education said McKay assured the approximately 80 people in attendance that there won’t be any surprises when it comes to making big decisions.
“Decisions will be arrived at with openness and transparency. That’s my commitment,” McKay said.
At the meeting, McKay went over a report made by two special advisors appointed by the province.
READ MORE: Government hires special advisor to review SD 83 board after 3 trustees resign
The report included 42 recommendations, the first one which the Minister of Education already acted on when he dissolved the previous board.
“The remaining 41 recommendations are hard-hitting across a wide range of areas,” McKay said.
A copy of the full report can be viewed at the bottom of this story.
McKay said there will be regular updates on the process of meeting all of the recommendations.
Bus routes were discussed at the meeting, and one which serves the Ranchero area was of particular concern.
That route is slated to be eliminated because Ranchero Elementary School will be changing to a kindergarten to grade eight school.
Superintendent Glenn Borthistle told McKay that staff suggest the route remains in place.
A bus route in Silver Creek Elementary School, which will also become a k-8 facility for the upcoming school year, will no longer be in place because only three students are expected to use it.
McKay was in favour of not getting rid of the Ranchero route.
“He added in the near future, with full community consultation, they will be looking at all areas of the district to refresh strategic and capital plans and confirm the path to deliver the best possible program and services to kids in 2016 and beyond,” Hucul said.
McKay approved a field trip to Prague for all district students in grades 10 to 12.
The school fees schedule was approved as well as the Capital Plan Bylaw which was adjusted to include a recent grant from the Ministry of Education to complete the heating and ventilation system at Hillcrest Elementary School.
Special Advisor Report for School District 83 by Neetu Garcha on Scribd
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