At last night's Board meeting (recorded), School District 61 Chair Ryan Painter communicated that the third and final bylaw reading on the proposed Lansdowne land sale was postponed until March 14th. The reason given: “…because of timeline issues and working with our partner in this process, our organization through the disposal process, they’re having some timeline issues and challenges”. No further information was provided.
Discussion revealed that funds from the potential sale of Lansdowne south land have already been earmarked to cover budget shortfalls regarding the Burnside project (see recording at 1:11:20).
Strong community presentations addressed 1) the suspension of Trustees McNally and Paynter, 2) the proposed Lansdowne Middle School south campus land sale, and 3) Board culture
(starting at 8:45 of the recording).
We have two weeks for additional action. PLEASE continue to communicate our unequivocal opposition to the sale of this land! How? Help make this issue as public as possible:
- Continue to promote this petition in your networks
- Write letters to the editor
- Write an individual message to the Trustees (trustees@sd61.bc.ca, cc. community@sd61.bc.ca)
- Write to the Minister of Education, Hon. Jennifer Whiteside (educ.minister@gov.bc.ca) and the Deputy Minister, Scott MacDonald (DM.Education@gov.bc.ca) - the Ministry needs to approve SD61’s request to dispose of the property.
- Share your concerns with local MLAs Murray Rankin (murray.rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca) and Rob Fleming (rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca)
Thank you for all your efforts!