The school board moved a number of motions on public issues at the February 28 meeting.
• It voted to create a committee to invite representatives from the Town of Qualicum Beach, the City of Parksville and the Regional District of Nanaimo to discuss items of mutual interest.
• A review of full-day kindergarten will be conducted by senior staff.
Even though the first year of the program isn’t over, the board voted to conduct a public review and report on the successes and challenges of full day kindergarten.
• The power of social media isn’t about to be overlooked by the school district. The board has directed staff to research the feasibility of adding Facebook and Twitter to the School District 69 website. Staff will also look into the feasibility of recording board meetings and making them available on-line.
• The office space in which School District 69 is located is going to be reviewed. Staff has been asked to conduct a comprehensive study on the benefits and drawbacks of relocating the school board offices.
The board wants to determine if there could be some cost savings by moving their offices.
• The board also voted to create a policy committee, as required under the School Act, because its current policy format was not legal.
Superintendent Jim Ansell said the board policy committee as it stands now is in violation of the school act and must be corrected.
Debbie Morran, president of the Mount Arrowsmith Teachers Association expressed concern that the new policy committee will exclude the voice of parents, teachers, and other school support staff.