Photo courtesy SD57 Board of Education

By Caden Fanshaw

SD 57

SD57 Board of Education under fire after anti-LGBTQ+ rant from local parent

Feb 1, 2023 | 4:52 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Tensions remain high after the School District 57 regular board meeting Tuesday night.

The meeting featured an exchange between Daryl Beauregard, President of the PG District Teachers Association and Chair Rachael Weber over comments made at a December public board meeting.

The comments were made on December 13 in the public input session by unsuccessful SD57 Trustee Candidate Josh Silva.

Silva addressed the SD57 Board of Education in a five-minute-long rant about the school curriculum and several other claims. Silva alleged that teacher-student abuse was rising, psychological issues in children were increasing, and students were facing increasing confusion over deciding their gender.

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The comments were followed up by an acknowledgement by the Board Chair who thanked Silva for his courage.

“Thank you, Josh. I just want to say it takes great courage to come to the mic and say what you did tonight. You were heard. Thank you for taking time from your life to come tonight to make sure that we listened.”

For some, her response conveys an expression of approval to the rant.

“My concern was that comment that was made by Mr. Silva wasn’t stopped,” said Beauregard. “He was allowed to make that comment. And the chair of the board then thanked him and praised him for his courage.”

The PGDTA has penned a letter to the BC Ministry of Education over concerns relating to this incident and how it was handled.

In a statement to CKPG News, Rachael Weber later said “The parent’s views were their own. My intention was to acknowledge their participation in publicly expressing their opinion, not to endorse or agree with it.”