Kwaleen PAC takes their school closure to BC's Ombudsperson

After a denied request from the Kwaleen Elementary School Parent Advisory Council, in Williams Lake, to extend public consultations on the 'Initials Options' report by the Local Board of Education (School District #27) - Kwaleen PAC President Katie Dyck and the Russet Bluff Community Association President Kirk Dressler have filed a formal complaint against School District #27 with BC's Ombudsperson who has the jurisdiction to investigate a complaint(s) against a public body which includes local government and boards' of education

In filing their complaint - both Ms. Dyck and Mr. Dressler say:

a) Public Consultation on the 'Initial Options' report is neither procedurally or administratively fair
b) School Planning Councils' have not been consulted, a requirement of the School Act

In fact, Mr. Dressler goes on to say:

In fact, as we understand it, the Board hasn’t even complied with its statutory obligation to create Student Planning Councils. By failing to create these Councils and consult with them as required by the School Act, the Board is breaking the law.”

Ms. Dyck concludes:

Kwaleen is one of Williams Lake’s best schools, and closing it accomplishes nothing. The figures don’t even indicate that there will be any significant cost saving realized by closing Kwaleen. By filing this complaint, we will trigger an investigation that will hopefully result in meaningful changes to the consultation process. If the Board charges ahead and closes Kwaleen, we can pursue a judicial review. We’ll do whatever we have to protect our school, our kids and our community. The law is on our side and we will not give up.”

Read the full article from Welcome to Williams Lake here