A change to oversight for inclusive learning program staffing in Central Okanagan Public Schools from the school board to the administrative human resources department generated an emotional response of concern at the board of education meeting Wednesday (Feb. 28).
The policy change is part of a larger project to update any ambiguity between the role of the school board and human resources department to carry out staffing requirements.
So far, beyond inclusive education, policy human resources procedures involving counselling and principal/vice-principal staff have been identified for amendment.
The particular policy addressed at Wednesday鈥檚 board of education meeting had been in place for 22 years.
But the move coincides with a separate ongoing review of the inclusive education department, and the policy change coupled with any potential changes from that review have become a focal point of concern for the Central Okanagan Teachers Association and proven upsetting to inclusive education staff.
Jon Rever, assistant superintendent who was acting on behalf of the absent superintendent/CEO Kevin Kaardal at the meeting, said the two initiatives are separate but acknowledged the coincidental optics have led to some miscommunication and apprehension about the school district鈥檚 intentions.
Rever repeatedly stated during the meeting the policy switch will have no impact on the inclusive education department standards or hiring qualifications, which are set by the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
鈥淚f this resolution is adopted, nothing will change,鈥� Rever said.
He added the ongoing inclusive education service review is intended to enhance existing resources for better efficiencies in the delivery of special education services, and will not directly impact the status of Learning Assistance Teachers (LATs).
But the coincidence of these two initiatives happening concurrently were highlighted by COTA president Susan Bauhart, who requested the trustees table the policy adoption resolution.
鈥溾�his being the deletion of several longstanding, well-serving LAT policies that have existed in policy for almost 22 years,鈥� Bauhart said.
鈥淭hese are policies trustees and COTA members are being told are job descriptions, and as such, do not belong in policy. The COTA disagrees with this.鈥�
Bauhart said COTA believes the inclusive education department is about to undergo a major restructuring.
鈥淚 say, we believe, because district officials will not share any details with us in writing, telling us that this is a work in progress and no decisions have been made,鈥� she said.
鈥淒istrict officials have met with all district resource teachers and SEL (social and emotional learning) teachers already, and would not share specifics with them either, though they were told decisions would be made by April 1鈥︹��
Bauhart said COTA has met with district officials about this potential inclusive education department restructuring three times.
鈥淎t the first meeting, we were told this could affect resource teacher, SEL teacher, LATs and ELL (English language leaner) teacher roles 鈥� but again were given no specific details.鈥�
As for the policy change, Bauhart said it takes away the school district administration鈥檚 responsibility to report to the school board how they are potentially altering LAT roles.
鈥淚f questioned about this by you, you could be informed that this is now an operational matter, and therefore beyond your responsibility,鈥� she added.
鈥淭he only way to ensure you are informed about specific changes to the LAT role is to have these policies in place that require your agreeing to any changes.鈥�
The impact of the miscommunication was reflected by one speaker, an inclusive education staff member, who was in tears and unable to articulate her concerns.
Nicola Baker, president of the Central Okanagan Parent Advisory Council, said parents have also registered concerns about the impact of any changes at PAC meetings.
Trustee Amy Geistlinger, while in favour of the policy change resolution, moved a motion to defer adoption based on concerns expressed by speakers at the meeting.
鈥淏uilding trust is important and it is built through actions. If the action to defer had the potential to build trust with one of our partner groups, I want to be part of that,鈥� Geistlinger said.
鈥淎nd I want LATs to be reassured that their department isn鈥檛 being singled out, that we plan to also remove other job descriptions from our policy manual in the future.鈥�
Geistlinger was the lone vote in favour of the deferral motion, and the motion to adopt was subsequently approved unanimously.
Lee-Ann Tiede, board of education chair, said the trustees have undertaken extensive due diligence in this and other board job description policy amendments to come, coordinating all job description standards and oversight with all employee department groups under the management scope of the school district human resources department.
鈥淭he roles, responsibilities and qualifications required for these jobs will remain the same,鈥� Tiede said.
The other trustees agreed with Tiede鈥檚 assessment, saying a deferral served little purpose since there is not further information to add prior to final adoption.
