Education

Union president calls on SD57 board chair to resign over support of private education

Oct 3, 2023 | 7:37 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The president of the Prince George District Teachers Association says the School District 57 board chair should resign.

Daryl Beauregard argues Rachael Weber should resign over her support for private schools.

In a social media post, Weber said she supports both public and private education, arguing private education often offers specialized programs and smaller class sizes, adding parents should have the right to choose.

Beauregard counters that in her role, Weber should have unquestioned support for public education.

He points out that the Board’s own policy manual says Board members should act as an advocate for public education and the school district in a non-partisan way.

Weber was named the BC Conservative candidate in the Prince George-Mackenzie riding in August.

According to the BC Conservative Party website, the party advocates for parents’ choices when it comes to the education of their children, which seems to come into direct conflict with the Board’s policy.

According to the Conservative website, “Parents have the right to determine how and where their children will be educated. Government must provide fair and reasonable funding to families for the type of education they choose for their children. This includes public, private or homeschooling.”