By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Comments that school board trustees make when they are not speaking in their capacity as a school board member do not violate the Trustee Code of Conduct, says SD57 Board Chair Craig Brennan.
Two trustees – Rachael Weber and Shar McCrory – are currently running for MLA in the Prince George-Mackenzie riding. Following speculation on a social media platform for Prince George and area residents that running for MLA poses a conflict of interest for SD57 trustees, The Goat reached out to Brennan for more information.
In his interview with The Goat, Brennan confirmed that trustees are not barred from running for other offices. In fact, they are allowed to keep their position on the school board and hold another elected position simultaneously.
“I’ve had conversations with both trustees that are running as MLAs to say, ‘Make sure when you’re with us, it’s your trustee hat [you’re wearing]. And when you’re out being an MLA candidate, it’s your MLA hat,” Brennan said.
Weber has been the subject of criticism after the BC United party unearthed a handful of her Facebook posts from 2020 sharing conspiracy theories claiming that 5G is a “weapon” which contributes to the spread of COVID-19. However, neither the SD57 Trustee Code of Conduct nor the School Act – a provincial law governing primary and secondary schools, as well as school boards – mention the spread of misinformation as a reason to disqualify a school board trustee.
While the Trustee Code of Conduct says trustees must ensure their activity on social media is consistent with the Code of Conduct, there is nothing in the code which prohibits the spread of misinformation. Instead, the code largely focuses on ensuring that trustees do not make disparaging comments about other board members, and do not abuse their power by arranging job opportunities in the school district for themselves or family members, or by stealing money from the board.
The School Act names three circumstances which would disqualify a trustee from holding office, none of which mention social media use. The disqualifying actions are: 1) neglecting to take an oath of office; 2) three consecutive months of absence from board meetings; and 3) violations of the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, or violations of the elections rules set out in the Local Government Act.
Brennan declined to comment on Weber’s Facebook posts about 5G, as they were made prior to her election to the school board and she did not make those comments in her capacity as a trustee. SD57 Superintendent Jameel Aziz also declined to comment, because board trustees are elected officials and not SD57 employees.
Weber did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Policies under review
The board is in the process of reviewing and updating all of its policies, including the Trustee Code of Conduct, Brennan told The Goat. The process will take place over the next two years, and the board will consult parents and other stakeholders throughout, he said.
Much of the review will focus on making board policies easier to understand, Brennan added.
“They’re very wordy and somewhat convoluted. You have to sit down and really think about them, and we want them to be accessible for anyone to read,” he said. “They’re going to be really good. Of all the work we’re going to do [this year], that’s the thing that I’m most excited about.”
