A Richmond school trustee is questioning if board members could speak freely to the public, media or other organizations with an updated school policy.
Trustee Rod Belleza raised concerns about freedom of speech for elected school trustees during a discussion about updating the school district policy on responsibilities and code of ethics was brought up at May's school board meeting.
The motion was raised by Trustee Debbie Tablotney, chairperson for the school district policy committee.
According to the policy, the role of trustees includes representing the needs of the community and advocating for the diverse needs of all learners in the community under the Human Rights Code.
It also states that trustees "must ensure that they will not purport to speak for the board in any interaction with the public, media or other entities unless explicitly authorized by law or board policy."
“It is the freedom of expression we are talking (about) here,” Belleza said.
“It doesn’t mean that it's written in the policy and common sense is enough. It’s a matter of law and a matter of fact.”
Tablotney explained trustees can interact with the media and the public and will usually do so with their own opinions as it is part of their job to speak with the public.
But she emphasized trustees need to use "a certain amount of common sense" when speaking with the media and the public.
This includes responses that do not reflect on the board “in a negative light.”
"We have to interact with the public to be able to know how to vote on issues and understand the feelings or wishes and to help people understand issues that are affecting the district," she said.
“However, (trustees) mustn’t undermine the board. We elect a board chair who is the spokesperson for the board."
Tablotney further explained that once the school board makes a decision, trustees "must respect that decision."
Chairperson Heather Larson confirmed that trustees “have a right” to speak their opinion but need to “be very careful” regardless.
She explained a person's opinion "can be misconstrued" when speaking on topics the board is discussing at the time.
“It’s incumbent on the trustee to make sure that they say ‘this is my opinion,'" said Larson.
School board trustees met with a lawyer to clarify questions and concerns regarding the updated policy, Tablotney further explained.
Although Belleza questioned the policy at length, it was ultimately approved unanimously at the May 22 meeting.
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