The head of the parent groups for School District #27 (SD27) will step down next term under her ongoing frustrations with the school board and its staff.
District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) president Rhonda McCreight told the board at its Nov. 7 special meeting that she has had enough of its practice of putting politics over parents.
After her role as DPAC president for three years and a member for six, McCreight says she still strongly believes in the parent's rights to have a role in their child's education.
"It's legislated through government – DPAC's number 1 role is to advise the board on anything to do with education.
"That consultation is a joke; it's not what they do. They inform people."
There is language in the School Act to include the DPAC in issues, she adds.
"PACs [local Parent Advisory Councils] and DPACs have an integral part of decision-making in our Public Ed system.
"I do not feel this board has equitable or inclusive practices. The policies and the structure - the way they do their meetings and operate is often done very exclusively."
In-camera board sessions are held too frequently, she adds, and an exclusive system doesn't allow parents "true consultation and true partnership," McCreight claims.
"The system is so ‘hegemonic’. The district office has 'run' this board since ... I was a little girl, so 30 or 40 years.
"I think the board is being used as a political pawn. They are brand new, they're doing the best they can, but I don't think the public realizes just how gagged they are."
McCreight says she has no issues with the individual trustees who work hard.
One way to involve parents more would be to offer all board meetings on ITV, she explains, so rural parents can stay informed more easily.
"The effort is not even made; they're just not included."
McCreight notes her reasons for not seeking re-election as DPAC president was "a personal choice" that has nothing to do with its own directors.
"[The DPAC] board members are absolutely amazing people. We've spent hundreds of hours of volunteer time. We need to be valued by the board."
SD27 chair Will Van Osch says the board wants to involve parents more.
"Whether we've done a good job on that up until now is debatable, I suppose."
He explains there are "some rough guidelines" as to DPACs role in the school system, but some parents have expressed a desire to vote on board decisions, or to have "more say than is possible" to have.
"There are restrictions in the system as far as what people can be included in. I'm not sure whether their expectations as a DPAC, or as parents in general, align with how far they actually can be included."
Privacy issues apply to any issues with real estate or land, legal aspects or personnel, Van Osch notes.
"Sometime we can't even describe why something is in-camera because of confidentiality, so I understand the frustration."
This board included parents and all the stakeholders in recent key program initiatives and planning, he adds.
"I think they are more interested in making the decisions than in having input on options the board might have in front of them."
However, McCreight says the board never asked for the DPAC's advice on the recent Initial Options Report, which proposes significant reconfigurations and school closures.