Greater Victoria School District provides update following trustees reinstatement

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) board members have provided an update ahead of the new school year, following their recent reinstatement. 

In January 2025, the education board members were terminated by the Province and later reinstated in May 2026.

The decision to fire them followed the SD61 trustees decision to remove the School Police Liaison Officer (SPLO) program from schools in 2023. 

The board members were then involved in a court case with the Province, and late in the litigation process against the BC government, undisclosed communication channels were revealed involving the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the government appointed special advisor.

“All of the circumstances here raise the possibility of serious governance issues affecting the District, both leading up to and following our dismissal,” said the trustees in a statement. 

Following their reinstatement on May 25th, the trustees say they discovered that several policies, reporting directives and procedures were rescinded or altered in their absence with no rationale provided. 

These policies have to do with safeguarding fiscal responsibility, accountability and student safety.

“Furthermore, we are concerned about the possibility of financial benefits being provided to one or more individuals who opposed the Board’s stance on School Police Liaison Officers, as well as transactions occurring outside normal operating processes,” the board continued. 

SD61’s board members say they are currently in the process of trying to understand and verify what took place in their absence. 

According to the trustees, their concern is less about governance matters and more to do with ensuring the safety of the school community as a whole as well as preventing conflict. 

The board believes that the community deserves complete transparency as to what occurred in their absence. 

In their update, the board also revealed that the superintendent of SD61, along with some other senior leadership members, have taken a leave of absence. 

The reason for Superintendent Deb Whitten’s leave was not disclosed in the statement, but the board wants to assure the community that operations will not be impacted by any leave. 

“The Board remains committed to uncovering the facts and is hopeful that these absences do not impede our attempts to gain transparency and ensure appropriate oversight and governance practices are being followed,” said the board. 

“To be clear, their leave has not impacted and will not in any way impact the return to school for teachers, staff, students and parents.”

In the interim, the board has appointed designates they deem capable to assist with day-to-day operations. Board members say they will also be stepping up to assist where appropriate and necessary. 

District staff and school administrators have been working all summer to prepare schools for their students’ return. 

Next week, the board says that staff will finish preparing classrooms and students will be welcomed back to school on Tuesday, September 8th.