SD57 turmoil: How did we get here?

From the moment Trustees were sworn in November 7, 2022 and the positions of Chair and Vice Chair were filled it was clear there was some sense of division among members of the Board of Education.

Trustee Bob Thompson nominated Trustee Betty Bekkering to serve as Board Chair. Thompson insisted Bekkering was more than qualified as the longest-serving member of the board. New Trustee Erica McLean then nominated Trustee Rachael Weber for Chair.

Weber was ultimately elected, with the official results on how each Trustee voted unclear.

Trustee Cory Antrim nominated Trustee Craig Brennan, and immediately afterwards Bekkering nominated Burnett. Brennan was ultimately voted into the position.

In the past, the appointment of a Board Chair and Vice-Chair has been regularly unopposed with only one person nominated.

Public input fallout:

The December regular board meeting held on December 13, 2022 ignited a response from stakeholders that have not faded now three months since it happened.

During the public input period, unsuccessful SD57 trustee candidate Josh Silva took to the microphone to make several unsubstantiated claims about teacher-student abuse, and BC’s sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum (SOGI). Chair Rachael Weber responded to Silva’s speech by thanking him for his courage, and insisting he was “heard.”

The response from Weber drew a large response from members of the PG District Teachers Association who called for the board to defend educators, and the SOGI curriculum instead of feeding into the false accusations and “slanderous commentary.”

Since the incident, the SD57 Board of Education never directly came out against what was said, instead, Weber issued a statement and said “my intention was to acknowledge their participation in publicly expressing their opinion, not to endorse or agree with it.”

This led to an exchange at the January regular board meeting as well which saw Weber engage in a shouting match with the President of the PG District Teachers Association.

Stakeholders rejected from speaking and policy pressure:

The February regular board meeting held February 28, 2023 saw more controversy arise when a policy that was previously approved was enacted changing the format and procedure for stakeholder groups to speak.

It had become routine for stakeholder groups to speak at the beginning of each meeting and allow for public input. A change in policy meant the stakeholder groups must wait until the end of the meeting to speak along with public input.

Several groups including the PGDTA saw their request to speak at stakeholder groups rejected leading to intensified pressure between the board and the union representing most of SD57’s employees.

The February meeting also gave a clear example of the divisiveness between Trustees when updated policy, some of which had been worked on since 2019, was not passed.

Vice Chair Craig Brennan tabled a motion to delay approving and passing the new policies until June 2023 “until this new board has the opportunity to further review and discuss this important work.”

This led to a response from Trustee Bekkering who called out part of the board for stalling the implementation after a two-and-a-half-year process. “This has come out of left field,” said Bekkering who insisted there was no reason to delay further. Chair Rachael Weber who has sat on the Board since January 15, 2022 immediately disagreed with Bekkering.

Trustee Cory Antrim also interjected and said he needed more time despite admitting individually he had time to go through the policy.

Heitman relieved of her duties:

The reaction from many when hearing the news Cindy Heitman had been relieved of her duties as Superintendent was pure shock. The news was released Friday afternoon, just hours before the start of spring break.

When speaking to CKPG News, both Bekkering and Burnett said they were disappointed with the decision. According to multiple sources within SD57, the meeting to make the decision came as a surprise Thursday evening (March 9).

Bekkering and Burnett both shared admiration for Heitman’s work in her time as Superintendent. Stakeholders were quick to respond with feelings of disappointment, and shock, while being concerned for the stability of a district that has seen seven superintendents in seven years.

The decision ultimately led to Burnett and Bekkering choosing to resign.

by Caden Fanshaw

SD57 turmoil: How did we get here?

Weber named Chair, Brennan Vice-Chair:

Public input fallout:

Stakeholders rejected from speaking and policy pressure:

Heitman relieved of her duties:

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