Trustee Responses 1

What are your thoughts on “parental rights and responsibilities” as they apply to the
educational setting?

Fred Robertson

Clearly, parents play a critical part of their child/children’s education.  And they are critical in supporting their child/children in classrooms.  Without parental support, it is that much more difficult for a child to thrive in school.  After more than 30 years of teaching I know this to be true.  However, parents do not set curriculum.  If there is some part of a curriculum a parent may not like or object to, there are very clear processes they can follow to object.   The role of a Trustee is to ensure these processes are adhered to and that a parent’s concern is heard.  School Boards must balance their obligation to support teachers and educational assistants and the curriculum and to hear what a parent may be saying, and ensure due process is followed.

Laurie Garret

Parents are entitled to be informed of their child’s education at the public school they attend. Parents should seek information on curriculum, class size and makeup, inclusivity and cultural learning that will occur. It is best to consult with the classroom teacher and school principal with any questions they may have. They may also want to join the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) at the child’s school to interact with other parents in your area. 

Roland LeFort

Parents/guardians play a vital role in how students find success throughout their educational career. The primary caregivers should be involved with their child’s education and be supportive of students and staff alike in working towards a common goal. Unfortunately, not all situations are positive, where misunderstandings and conflicting perspectives on life choices can lead to issues between the student or staff and the parent/guardian, potentially putting the student’s safety into question. I believe that staff need to prioritize the safety of the student over any other request, as each student’s health and wellbeing needs to be #1.

We continue to see significant challenges for our students regarding mental health and access to services, both in the school and in the community.  These challenges include issues of self-harm, but also manifest themselves in chronic absenteeism.

Jeff Field

Parents and families may believe in certain values or ideologies in the privacy of their own homes. In a public education system educators must support the needs of students and a curriculum that is not based on one ideology or set of values. As such trustees must support the professionalism of their staff to deliver a curriculum that is not subjected to censorship.

Christine Swain

I have 2 children in public school, I understand the concern regarding parental rights and responsibilities given the range of information students have access to. We all have the right to have our children taught with respect and care regardless of our cultural, spiritual or political beliefs. It is important that, regardless of individual ideologies, students are given the opportunity to receive an unbiased education that will support diversity and equity within a larger society.

As your School Board Trustee, I will demand unprejudiced and equitable access to learning for all students within our school district, ensuring all young people receive an education that promotes diversity and inclusivity.

Leightan Wishart

Parents have an important and legitimate role in their children’s education. They should be informed about their child’s attendance, behaviour, progress and educational program, and they should have meaningful opportunities to communicate with teachers and the school. That is already reflected in B.C.’s School Act.

At the same time, parental rights need to be balanced with the professional responsibilities of teachers and school administrators. Teachers need to be able to maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment and deliver the curriculum established by the province.

I believe the best approach is partnership rather than confrontation. Parents, educators, administrators and trustees all have different roles, but we share the same fundamental objective: doing what is in the best interests of students.

As a trustee, I would encourage open communication with parents and ensure that their concerns are heard, while also supporting educators in carrying out their professional responsibilities. We should be working together, not creating an adversarial relationship between parents and schools.