B.C. minister threatens to remove Victoria school board over safety concerns
- Greater Victoria's public schools have not allowed police on site except in emergencies since last year.
- Education Minister Lisa Beare is requiring a revised safety plan by January, threatening board replacement if not fulfilled.
- Concerns about safety amidst increasing gang activity have led to significant criticism and calls for police presence in schools.
In Canada, concerns regarding safety in Greater Victoria’s public schools have intensified, leading to the Education Minister Lisa Beare's intervention. A decision made last year restricted police presence in schools to emergencies only, based on feedback from students and teachers who felt unsafe with officers on site, particularly those from Indigenous and racialized backgrounds. This decision has sparked a debate about school safety, as community members, including youth counselors and area First Nations, called for police to be allowed back in schools amidst rising gang activity. Police Chief Del Manak has criticized this ban, arguing that police presence could deter gang recruitment and enhance safety for students and teachers alike. The Minister announced that Kevin Godden, a former school superintendent, would act as a special adviser to help the school board create a comprehensive safety plan by January. Failure to produce an acceptable plan could lead to the board’s replacement. Previous safety plans submitted by the board were not deemed adequate, prompting the formation of a new, collaborative approach. The outcome of these developments has significant implications for the relationship between the school board, police, and the community at large, as well as for the safety and well-being of thousands of students in the district.