The public is invited to learn more about proposed changes to how trustees are elected for the Greater Victoria School District.
The Sept. 9 session will be co-hosted by the district, along with representatives from Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, and the municipalities of Esquimalt, Highlands, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria, and View Royal, and the Capital Regional District (CRD).
“Meaningful discussions with Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, local municipalities, and the CRD have resulted in proposed changes,” noted Sherri Bell, the official trustee of SD61, in a news release. “Now, we are asking for our community to familiarize themselves with the proposed changes, ask questions, and help identify any other considerations that we reflect on.”
The session comes after the Township of Esquimalt asked the Ministry of Education and Child Care to create a task force to consider a different election model for school district trustees, as none of the nine trustees on the school board lived were residents or representatives of Esquimalt.
“The Township of Esquimalt was the first to ask for this conversation out of our desire to build stronger relationships and reconciliation within School District 61,” said Esquimalt Coun. Tim Morrison in the release. “[Bell] responded accordingly by facilitating inclusive collaboration among all our communities, which has resulted in our joint proposal for much-needed reform on how we elect our school board and determine fair and equitable representation for the school district in which we all share.”
After receiving support and direction from the ministry, a task force was formed, resulting in a number of proposed variations to the trustee electoral areas, which will also be detailed during the engagement session.
The proposed change features a shift from the ‘at large’ electoral model to a model with seven trustee electoral areas based on municipal and First Nations boundaries, with Esquimalt Nation getting one trustee, Songhees Nation getting one trustee, View Royal and Highlands getting one trustee, Oak Bay getting one trustee, Esquimalt getting one trustee, while Saanich and Victoria get two trustees each.
“It’s encouraging to see real steps being taken to make space for Indigenous voices in decisions that shape our kids’ education and futures,” noted Esquimalt Nation Chief Jerome Thomas in the release. “This kind of collaboration shows what’s possible when we all come to the table with respect and open minds.”
The event will be at SJ Willis High School on Topaz Avenue, between 7 and 9 p.m. For those unable to make the session, an online feedback form will be open until Sept. 11 at sd61.bc.ca.
