NPA seeks to put focus on bullying report in Vancouver's school board election - Action News
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British Columbia

NPA seeks to put focus on bullying report in Vancouver's school board election

Candidates with Vancouver's Non-Partisan Association held a press conference on Monday to sign an anti-bullying pledge, hoping to make a report that blamed former trustees for creating a toxic work environment a key issue in next month's byelection.

NPA candidates sign an anti-bullying pledge; Vision Vancouver puts emphasis on future

School board candidates with Vancouver's Non-Partisan Association speak to the media at a news conference on Sept. 18, 2017. (Christer Waara/CBC)

Candidates with Vancouver's Non-Partisan Association held a news conference on Monday to sign an anti-bullying pledge, hoping to make a report that blamed former trustees for creating a toxic work environment a key issue in next month'sbyelection.

"Our school board became increasingly polarized and could not work in the best interests of students. We believe our opponents have not taken this issue seriously," said NPA candidate Rob McDowell, one of the group's five candidates hoping to be elected to the nine-person school board on Oct. 14.

Last October, the previous school board was fired by the provincial government after failing to pass a balanced budget.

Prior to the firing, several senior staff membershad already gone on indefinite leave, and, in March of this year, an independent review ordered by the district found thebehaviour of certain individualtrustees "contributed to the development of a toxic work environment at the VSB."

The five-point pledge signed by NPA candidates promises to treat others with fairness and respect, speak out against bullying, offer support to those who are bulliedand recognize trustees' ability to create change.

"We take this issue very seriously," said McDowell.

"We should be the ones, as school trustees, who are setting an example."

A WorkSafeBC report concluded Vancouver School Board staff experienced intimidation and humiliation in the fall of 2016. (Tristan Le Rudulier/CBC)

Vision looking forward

But while the NPA is hoping candidates from other parties sign the pledge, Vision Vancouver is rejecting it as a political gimmick.

"Vancouver has seen their campaign tactics before, and we're not buying it again," the party said in a statement.

Three of their five candidates sat on the previous board, including former chair Mike Lombardi.

Vision hasn't agreed to release an unredacted copiesof theindependent report, but Lombardihas argued his behaviour was driven by his desire to fight for the future of schools that were under the threat of closing.

"Last year, there was so much stress and strain on the system, because the government was always threatening us with making more cuts andclosing schools," he said.

"Now that we have a new government in place that values public education, we want to hitthe reset button ... we'll work with them to make sure we have a great education system for our kids."

Lombardiargues the focus on the campaign should beon the future.

"We hope the NPA will start talking about the issues. Those are what we want to focus on. Student learning, student success, getting seismic upgrades, new schools when they need to be builtand getting adequate funding to make sure our children can still learn," he said.

"That's what parents ask me about all the time ... those are what we want to focus on."

In total, 19 school board candidates will be on the ballot on Oct. 14. A full list of candidates can be found here.