Suspension of trustees prompts Teachers’ Association to vote no confidence in Greater Victoria School Board

The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association (GVTA) says “teachers are shocked” following the censure and suspension of two Greater Victoria School District (SD61) board trustees.

It’s prompting the association to voice concerns, leading its members to vote no confidence in the board at a Tuesday general meeting.

On February 11th, SD61 said trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter would be barred from their duties until October following misconduct allegations.

According to the statement, the decision came after bullying and harassment complaints were filed against the pair “related to disparaging comments made publicly.”

However, the GVTA argues that no information about the allegations, the process, the findings, or the decision to suspend McNally and Paynter has been made public.

It’s now calling on SD61 to release more details, including the authority under which each suspension was invoked—with teachers ready to boycott all board meetings until they’re satisfied that the process was appropriate. 

The suspensions call into question the ability of the board to make binding decisions, the GVTA finds. It says this could lead to future uncertainty, especially with “important and controversial votes” looming.

“We are deeply concerned by the suspensions of two democratically elected trustees and the secrecy surrounding it,” said GVTA president Winona Waldron.

A no confidence vote is seldom seen, according to Waldron. It’s a formal process in which people vote in order to show that they do not support a governing body.

“We heard clearly from our membership that the suspensions required a strong response,” she said.

Waldron also says that the association is unaware of any existing legislation that gives the board the authority to suspend elected members.

“Trustees should be well aware of processes used by the district to effectively respond to findings of bullying and harassment,” the GVTA president added.

“I can think of no other district personnel who has been subject to a nine-month suspension when bullying and harassment has been found.”

In a Thursday letter addressed to the SD61 board, Victoria-based Songhees First Nation echoed the GVTA’s concerns.

“The lack of transparency regarding this decision is appalling and in violation of the duty to consult and to obtain the consent of First Nations that may be affected by these measures,” the First Nation said.

“Our children and families deserve better.”