DESPITE some misgivings about the speed with which the process moved forward, trustees of the North Vancouver school district voted to attempt to expand the district's primary years International Baccalaureate program on Tuesday.
The school district has targeted Queen Mary elementary as the best site to implement the IB program, a process which is slated to begin in the 2013/14 school year. The IB program is intended to make students aware of their role as global citizens and to meet each student's learning stage.
The final assessment of Queen Mary's qualifications is in the hands of the IB organization.
The exclusivity of the board's decision-making process was a cause for concern for Daniel Storms, the presidents of the North Vancouver Teachers' Association. Storms urged the board to postpone their vote. "This motion . . . in our view, wasn't done with teacher input or co-operation," Storms said. "No teacher input was sought."
The lack of consultation was a point of concern for Trustee Barry Forward. "Our relationship with our teachers is coming out of a very difficult time," he said.
Discussing the matter with teachers is important, but assistant superintendent Mark Jefferson said the program was ultimately for students and not for staff.
"It's a highly successful program," he told the board, adding that the international program falls under the B.C. curriculum.
There is a strong demand for the IB program throughout the school district, according to Jefferson.
Capilano elementary has nearly doubled its enrolment since implementing the IB program in 2008. The school is currently at capacity, which has resulted in the school being forced to turn away 22 students within its catchment area, according to Jefferson.
Queen Mary was chosen over other North Vancouver elementary schools for its central location and its space for more enrolment by a working group consisting primarily of administrators and principals.
"Any rationale for not including teachers in the working group?" trustee Susan Skinner asked.
Skinner suggested forming a new site-selection committee consisting of parents, teachers, and First Nations educators. While allowing the merits of the IB program and the likely suitability of Queen Mary, Skinner called for more community involvement.
"It comes down to process," she said. "I won't support this motion. I would support a deferral."
A more inclusive process would lead to more public ownership and a greater chance of success for the IB program, according to Skinner.
"I think it would be a big mistake if we don't go forward," said trustee Christine Sacre, citing the 22 students hoping to get into the school and the three-year application process.
Queen Mary's teachers are enthusiastic about becoming an IB school according to principal Bill Reid. "We've got to do this.' That's the feedback I've been getting," he said.
"I don't believe if we deferred this decision any longer, the decision would change," said trustee Mike McGraw.
Trustee Lisa Bayne agreed. "I don't believe in consultation for the sake of consultation. In the last three weeks there's been a remarkable amount of consultation."
Forward put forth a motion to defer the vote until December. The motion was defeated 5-2.
The motion to expand the IB program in the school district passed 5-2, with Forward and Skinner opposed.
If the board had deferred its vote, there is a possibility the consideration phase would have extended into late 2013, delaying implementation for one school year, according to a board report.
The IB program requires teachers to undertake continuous training. Queen Mary teachers not wishing to teach the IB program would have to transfer to another school.
The cost of implementing an IB program is projected to be $300,000 over three years. It takes about three years to become a fully accredited IB program.
SETTING IT STRAIGHT
AN Oct. 24 story, Council OKs William Griffin Redesign, stated that district homeowners might pay for the new community centre through a one-time tax levy of, on average, $46.
It would in fact be a "one-time" levy, but not a "one time payment." Homeowners would actually pay the $46 levy every year for 20 years, allowing the district to pay off a $28-million debt. Another $16 million would come from the district's infrastructure reserve and $5 million would be borrowed internally.
The $46 tax may not be levied if the district can generate revenue from the Delbrook Community Recreation Centre site.
