Abbotsford motion seeks guidance for school trustees

The B.C. School Trustees Association lacks support for individual trustees, according to a motion to be considered by the Abbotsford school board for submission to the BCSTA annual general meeting.

The action motion suggests the BCSTA board of directors should create a panel of “screened, diverse, knowledgeable, learned, experienced, and discreet elected trustees to be available across the province to a source of confidential support to individual trustees who may require advice and direction in regards to Board governance and function.”

“Boards of Education are a composite of individuals. The function of Boards is highly dependent on the culture of the whole as created by the separate individuals,” the motion states. “Board dysfunction is a direct result of poor individual discipline and behaviour.”

The proposed motion, which does not have a name attached to it, notes that while the organization is a trustees’ association, it largely just supports whole boards as members.

“The various employee groups within the BC education sector provide support to individual members through organizational representation and advocacy. At this time an individual often can only contact legal resources for support, resulting in a hefty cost to the trustee,” the motion says.

“It is easy for a new trustee to ‘call a friend’ – someone like-minded who may not offer an experienced or opposing view. This may not increase the individual’s capacity to function respectfully and effectively at the table.”

The motion will be examined at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting, with a deadline for BCSTA AGM motions set for Feb. 24.

Find more of our coverage on the Abbotsford School District here.