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Bernier fired the board of trustees on October 17, just hours before they were poised to pass a balanced budget. Special adviser Peter Milburn was appointed after the board rejected a budget calling for $21.8 million in cuts, setting themselves up for possible firing.

In October, six senior staff members, including superintendent Scott Robinson, went on medical leave at the same time and the board called off a process that could have seen 11 schools closed next year. Robinson is now back at work.

The board was replaced by official trustee Dianne Turner, for a minimum period of one year, although the NDP has said it would rehire the fired trustees if it wins the May election.

The 396-page FOI response is largely redacted, but does include a few more tidbits. When Bernier fired the board, he said he had received letters of complaint and one letter, from the BC School Superintendents’ Association, dated September 28, was made public. That letter formed the basis for an investigation into bullying complaints that has not yet been finalized.

The FOI response also includes letters from the BC Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association, dated October 14, and from someone who used to work at the VSB, dated October 4. The letter from the principals’ association references other letters from trustees and business officials although those letters were not included with the FOI package.

The principals’ letter says “the current situation in the district is posing many challenges for school-based leadership. These challenges can be met only when trustees, district staff and other leaders work cooperatively with a sharp focus on student success.”