Skip to content

Parents still seek clarity for future of Victor School

Motion avoided to remove special needs Victor School from boundary review proposal
15637782_web1_VictorSchool
Parents remain concerned about the future of their children who attend Victor School for inclusive learning as it is proposed to become a regular stream elementary with a local catchment for 2020. (Google Maps)

A motion to keep Victor School in Fernwood from becoming a regular stream elementary school did not happen at the operations policy and planning committee meeting at the Greater Victoria School District on Tuesday night.

The motion was initially presented by first-term trustee Ryan Painter to “remove Victor School from consideration as part of the catchment boundary review.”

Victor School is designated for children who are medically assisted or have high-incidence behaviour, and are given additional supports for learning and care.

However, while the motion passed, it had been amended enough that it said nothing about removing Victor School from being a regular stream elementary in the new boundary review proposal.

READ MORE: SD61 unveils new proposed catchment areas for Victoria

Instead, Painter said the motion provides a clear path for what the alternatives are for Victor School and believes this should give parents of Victor School students certainty that staff and trustees are listening.

“The alternatives include a full, thorough, deliberative consultation with Victor School parents,” Painter said. “We know it’s a special place, the amenities there are special, even the playground is special, it’s a very unique school in the district. I believe we can move forward together but it has to be together, and I don’t see any staff or trustees rushing ahead without Victor parents on board.”

READ MORE: Parents at school designated for high-incidence behaviour students brace for change

Marcus Pollard, parent of Victor School student Nathaniel, said he’s frustrated that the motion was amended to the point it was totally different.

“It seems like they’ve got an agenda and they don’t want to back down from it,” Pollard said. “It’s smoke and mirrors, verbally, there’s nothing in the motion as to what it is, I’m not sure what the end game is and I don’t know what this does.”

Now that the motion was passed by the operations and policy planning committee it goes before all nine trustees at Monday’s school board meeting.

On Thursday, Victor School parents are meeting with members of the SD61 administration. Tuesday night’s meeting was actually rescheduled from earlier in February when it was cancelled due to heavy snow.

The SD61 boundary catchment review process is currently in phase two with a rescheduled open house upcoming as the Feb. 13 open house was also snowed out.

reporter@saanichnews.com


Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter