The new North Okanagan Shuswap School Board that is elected this October will be almost half the size as the former one.
Education Minister Rob Fleming has decided the new board will have five trustees, down from the previous nine.
The representation will consist of :
North Shuswap/Sorrento/Carlin – one trustee
Salmon Arm – two trustees
Sicamous/Malakwa/Enderby/Grindrod – one trustee
Armstrong/Spallumcheen/Falkland/Silver Creek/Ranchero – one trustee
The decision followed a recommendation for five trustees by District 83’s Official Trustee Mike McKay.
Pictured: Mike McKay, official trustee for School District 83
“I’m pleased with the Minister’s decision. The school district’s communities now know what the structure of the board will be, and individuals interested in standing for office can begin planning and moving forward,” says McKay.
The former District 83 school board was dismissed by then Education Minister Mike Bernier in June 2016, with a government report on the issue saying the board was not functioning well, and had lost the confidence of the community.
McKay added he has directed district staff to develop sessions for people considering running for trustee. Information will be shared through the website and media when details are finalized.
“With the work that has been done to meet the recommendations of the Watson Report, I am confident that the district will be in a good place for the incoming board to take on its governance role.”
To arrive at his original recommendation, McKay held discussions with local area government agencies, First Nations Band representatives, and considered options at the Partner Group Table through a Working Group sub-committee. Face-to-face meetings were held and feedback was also invited from the general community on-line.
“Throughout the feedback process, it became clear that there wasn’t a single option that was universally supported,” said McKay. “But after much consideration, I felt this option would best serve the communities of our district.”
