By Greg Fry

Education

SD57 board chair and superintendent look back at 2020

Dec 24, 2020 | 2:33 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — “It was certainly a crazy year to step into this role.”

The words of School District 57 Superintendent Anita Richardson when asked to take a look back at the past year. A year in which she took on her new role starting January 1, 2020.

“I equate it to having twins – if you’re going to have twins you’d want to get them first so you don’t know any better.”

But she notes she wasn’t the only superintendent who had to deal with challenges posed by COVID-19.

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“None of us were prepared for it and we’re just doing the best we can.”

Richardson was proud of how district staff came together to find solutions when the pandemic extended spring break.

“You know, having spring break right when we had it was as gift of time that not all districts had the luxury to have. So, we were lucky that way,” she says.

“And we had a lot of time to talk as a senior team and talk with our principals and vice-principals who gave up their spring breaks to work on solutions for returning to school. And really making sure staff felt safe and welcome into our buildings when spring break was over.”

Richardson says one of the biggest highlights for her the past year has been the district’s focus on truth and reconciliation and “living those ideals of UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).

However Board of Education Chair Trent Derrick admits First Nations relations took a hit when their original plan to rename Kelly Road Secondary Shas Ti Secondary didn’t end up happening. The decision caused a backlash, followed by a public consultation session which led to the board’s decision to rename the school Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary instead. That decision was criticized by the Lheidli T’enneh and non-Indigenous people equally.

“It’s a growing experience and it’s a learning experience as well. I think because some of the challenges of COVID, we weren’t able to meet face-to-face with people and have an open and honest discussion of why it was important to change the name, how it’s important to honour the history of rights and title.

“So, it was definitely a learning experience to go through but I think the important part is that we are making progress to better this relationship.”

He believes the Board of Education’s decision to support the creation of two trustee spots – one for a member of the McLeod Lake Indian Band, and another for the Lheili T’enneh – will go a ways towards improving the relationship even more. The final decision is now in the hand of the provincial government.

It was also a year of growth for Derrick, who was elevated from vice-chair to chair of the Board of Education.

“Yeah, board chair, it’s a change. It’s a different role but it’s an opportunity to meet the challenges head-on that we’re going to be facing and being able to be the voice of the board. I look forward to that.”

And though we’re not out of the pandemic yet, he’s still feeling optimistic looking forward.

“I think what’s important coming up is we’ve been working on our strategic plan and that sets the direction for the next four to five years. And it’s an opportunity to bring all of our stakeholders together – to see what works, what’s not working and really move and try to improve outcomes for our students because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about, it’s trying to improve outcomes for our students.”