A parents group and two union locals are adding their voices to those raising questions about the suspensions of two Greater Victoria School Board trustees amid allegations of bullying and harassment of staff.
A letter from the Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils says that in light of the measures taken against Diane McNally and Rob Paynter, “we have lost confidence in this board’s ability to conduct itself in a democratic manner.”
Like the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association, which has said it has no confidence in the board, the parents said they will be boycotting further board meetings.
The boycott will continue “unless and until” McNally and Paynter are reinstated, or the allegations of bullying against them are substantiated, the letter says.
Confederation president Angela Carmichael said an exception was made for Wednesday night’s special virtual board meeting about a proposed land sale at Lansdowne Middle School because of parent interest in the issue.
“We’re hoping that this stalls the budget process and any land sales because nobody has any confidence in this board’s integrity to do those things.”
Parent representatives have already stepped down from the board’s budget committee, Carmichael said.
Also voting to boycott future meetings are the district’s Canadian Union of Public Employees locals 947 and 382, which typically send representatives to the meetings and together have about 1,100 workers.
In a joint letter, the locals pointed to a lack of accountability for the suspensions.
The union locals said while they object strongly to bullying and harassment, they cannot support actions without due process and open decision making.
Carmichael said the number of groups leaving the board table is “unprecedented.”
McNally and Paynter were suspended until October — the time of the next school board and municipal elections. Formal complaints against them were made last summer and the Greater Victoria School District said they were substantiated by a third-party investigation conducted by a lawyer/mediator.
Board chairman Ryan Painter has said there is “zero tolerance” for bullying or harassment in the district.
The Songhees Nation has also expressed its displeasure with the way the suspensions were handed out, and called for the board to resign.
Chief Ron Sam said the board should be more “open and transparent” about the situation.
“What’s going on? Nobody knows,” he said. “We’re rights-holders in this.
“They should at least come and talk to us.
“We can have those in-camera discussions.”
The Métis Nation of Greater Victoria has also voiced its concerns.
