Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, has appointed Mike McKay as special advisor to the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District (SD 27) to help the district address its challenges, and respond to the recommendations in Dianne Turner’s report to ensure student success in the community.

The appointment will begin immediately and run until the end of December 2018. As special advisor, McKay will be responsible for:

• Establishing a detailed action plan, that includes all local partners, for responding to Turner’s recommendations.
• Addressing the issues raised in Turner’s report regarding governance, finance, budgeting, leadership, morale, culture and district communications.
• Working to establish conditions for healthier relationships between SD 27 staff, the board, the Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association and the Cariboo-Chilcotin Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association.

Under the School Act, a special advisor may enter schools and district offices, and can inspect board records. The board and its employees must assist the special advisor in carrying out their duties.

In fall 2018, Turner was hired by the ministry to conduct a thorough review of the district, including interviews with many stakeholders in the community. She delivered a report to the ministry, identifying some key issues and offering recommendations for a path forward.

Turner’s Assessment of Concerns and Recommendations for School District 27 is available here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/reports-and-publications/assessment-report-on-sd27.pdf