Discusses alternative education programs
At its December 19 meeting, Powell River Board of Education discussed Brooks Offsite and Connect-Ed programs, which serve students from grades seven through 12 who have not experienced success in the mainstream school system. The programs had 51 new students in 2017. The increase is due in part to a restoration of funding to allow students to upgrade courses. Students from the program are also participating in the Fast Track to the Trades program at Vancouver Island University. Six of the seven students who applied passed assessment to enter into trades programs. Brooks Offsite offers programs that lead to a regular Dogwood Graduation Diploma or an Adult Dogwood Graduation Diploma.
Receives letter from provincial trustees
Correspondence received by Powell River Board of Education before its December 19 meeting stated that British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) wishes to be consulted before the Local Elections Campaign Financing Amendment Act (Bill 15) is finalized. The legislation would limit individual contributions of local school trustees to $1,200. BCSTA noted that comments made in the BC legislature by municipal affairs and housing minister Selina Robinson on November 23 indicate an intention to include a regulation that allows candidates to make an additional $1,200 contribution in 2018, bringing the total amount to $2,400. BCSTA said it can provide unique insight into school trustee elections and help the minister achieve her stated objective of supporting fair election campaigns free of wealthy donors.
