All members of the Greater Victoria School Board have been fired by the provincial government over their decision to limit police presence on campuses to emergency situations.
Education Minister Lisa Beare announced the move on Thursday, citing the potential dangers lack of law enforcement could put students and staff in.
"Students are at the centre of every decision I make," she said, "and ultimately their safety in this school district is at risk. Our government has given this board multiple opportunities to act, and they have not delivered. The decision to remove an elected board is a difficult one, but it is necessary to bring our collective focus in School District 61 back to where it belongs — supporting students."
Sherri Bell, who previously served as district superintendent and Camosun College president, has been appointed to replace the board as the sole trustee. She will take over immediately, and serve until the next board elections until fall 2026.
SD61 axed the School Police Liaison Officer program in May 2023, at which point the government appointed Kevin Godden as a special advisor to help facilitate the creation of a new policy.
The district provided a trio of plans on January 6, however local police were not happy, with chiefs of the four municipalities included therein declaring that they'd lost confidence in the board. Members, who were elected in 2022, pushed back, arguing that they were within their rights, as a democratically chosen body, to make decisions.
Beare's move was applauded by BC Conservative West Vancouver-Capilano MLA and Education Critic Lynne Block.
"This has been a long saga of a rogue board ignoring the wishes of parents and rightsholders who became increasingly concerned about school safety in Greater Victoria," she said. "Thanks to the advocacy of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nation Chiefs and community members, parent advocates, students, the municipal governments of Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, Esquimalt and View Royal, police departments, and many others, the community is now breathing a sigh of relief."
She noted that just three weeks ago, the Conservatives called for the board's firing, arguing it was "long overdue."
"We must acknowledge the wasted time and resources, as well as the unnecessary stress placed on the community," Block added. "We all wish Sherri Bell the best in her new role as the official trustee, as well as the returning special advisor Kevin Godden, who both bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles. They can now collaborate with the SD61 senior staff and community to make public education a priority. At last, SD61 can now focus on prioritizing student safety and achievement."