At the Powell River Board of Education open meeting on January 24 the board thanked Betty Wilson, retired district coordinator for first nations programs, and presented her with a copy of a video produced by School District 47. The 10-minute video, called Honouring Tradition available on YouTube or the district’s website, focuses on the history of and developments in first nations’ learning opportunities in the Powell River area. The video features interviews with first nations educators and students and asks what direction first nations’ education needs to take in the future.
Aquatic education
A recent incident at Oceanview Middle School inadvertently demonstrated the school’s preparedness in the case of an emergency, reported Jay Yule, superintendent of schools. A faulty sprinkler head caused the school’s fire sprinklers and alarms to go off. Students and staff evacuated the building in a timely manner and a quick response from emergency services reassured Yule that in the case of a real emergency the response would go well. Water did cause some flooding but no extensive damage, said Yule. A video of the water can be found on YouTube under the title “Pipe Bursts at Oceanview School.”
CUPE agreement
Yule reported that the board had met with local Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) officials and concluded collective agreement bargaining. The officials must now take the agreement to membership for ratification before it is reviewed by the board. There are many things in the agreement to be happy with from the board’s point of view, said Yule, and he hopes both parties will benefit from it.
Open communication
Yule announced an agreement between the Board of Education and City of Powell River council to have the board chair and Yule meet with Mayor Dave Formosa and Chief Administrative Officer Stan Westby on a regular, ongoing basis. The intent is to have open communication over issues that affect both bodies and to develop a more comprehensive working relationship. Meetings between the entire board and city council are also planned to occur periodically throughout the year. The regular meetings will begin this month.
Getting there
Construction on Westview Elementary School is progressing. Steel girders are being erected and a second 100,000 square foot concrete pour has been completed. A third pour will be made once girders are all in place. Secretary Treasurer Steve Hopkins said the contractors are still on course for the projected finish of the end of the year. Hopkins said local workers are being utilized, including one of the steel workers who is a graduate of the district’s welding program.
