Prince George school board given steps to follow through with special advisers’ report

A special team of advisers has been appointed to support the Prince George Board of Education to meet recommendations provided through a report made in February which concerns governance, student achievement, and Indigenous relations in the district.

In February 2021, Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education, appointed Kory Wilson and Catherine McGregor as special advisers to review the governance practices of the Prince George Board of Education.

The final report has been submitted by Wilson and McGregor, which outlines concerns in the School District 57, including educational outcomes for Indigenous students, relationships with First Nations communities, allocation of resources, and strategic planning.

As a result of this report, former PG School District superintendent Rod Allen will join McGregor and Wilson as a special advisory team to work with the board to:

• ensure trustees understand the recommendations set out by Wilson and McGregor;
• draft a work plan that details how the board will address the recommendations;
• improve district financial planning, including aligning finances with board priorities
• improve staffing resources;
• improve relationships with local First Nations; and
• implement the work plan, as necessary.

The special advisers will submit a final report to outline the progress made by the board in meeting the government’s expectations next March.

Until March 31, 2022, the PG Board of Education is required to report every two months on its progress, which must include the following:

• the completion date of the work plan;
• the consultations that informed the work plan, including those with local First Nations;
• the timelines for implementation of the work plan; and
• outcomes from implementing the workplan

Once this is done, the minister will assess the situation and determine the next steps.