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By Caden Fanshaw

SD57

SD57 Trustee resignations continue as Betty Bekkering steps aside

Mar 11, 2023 | 10:07 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – Another Trustee has stepped aside as the fallout continues with the School District 57 Board of Education.

Longtime Trustee Betty Bekkering has handed in her resignation after a tumultuous stretch for the Board of Education which has seen stakeholder upset, Superintendent Cindy Heitman relieved of her duties, and Trustee Gillian Burnett resign.

Bekkering was a successful Trustee candidate in 2011, 2018, and 2022, currently serving in her eighth year on the SD57 Board of Education.

Multiple sources confirm a meeting with Trustees was held Thursday (March 9) to vote on relieving Superintendent Cindy Heitman of her duties. CKPG News has learned that vote was not unanimous.

Heitman was told about the decision Friday morning, prior to SD57 teachers and students going on Spring Break.

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The 28-year employee of SD57 was then publicly thanked for her time served in a news release that said Heitman had “left” the district.

Board Chair Rachael Weber has not responded to several requests for comment from CKPG News since February 9th.

In a news release Saturday, School District 57 Board Chair Rachael Weber issued a statement about the resignations.

““Every member of the Board is committed to education and importantly, brings diverse perspectives. The Board has been, and continues to be, steadfast in creating an environment where different ideas and opinions are welcome and productive debate encouraged before fact-based decisions are made – including those of governance and policy. The Board remains focused on building collaborative relationships with rights holders, partners, and stakeholders in working to ensure the District is meeting the needs of students, teachers, and staff.”

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Ms. Burnett and Ms. Bekkering for all their hard work and wish them the best in their future endeavours. A by-election will be held to fill the vacant positions.”

The Prince George District Teachers Association also issued a statement following the pair of resignations, and the dismissal of Heitman.

“The Prince George District Teachers’ Association thanks outgoing Superintendent Heitman for her many years of dedication to education in School District 57. We look forward to a continued positive working relationship with Acting Superintendent Spooner. We also thank outgoing Trustees Burnett and Bekkering, both of whom have spent many years in the service of public education in various roles. We hope that the remainder of the Board will respect our Association’s repeated call for concerns of equity, inclusion and related safety to be addressed. With a by-election to be announced, our Association will continue to stand up for the values of a public education system.”