Familiar name from days of education in Prince Rupert set to retire, as Lynn Hauptman bids farewell to Kootenay region schools

Lynn Hauptman, a long time fixture in education with School District 52 prior to her departure for the Kootenays six years ago, is set to retire at the end of this school year, with School District 5 officials praising her work and achievements for education in the region since arriving in 2013.

Ms. Hauptman had two periods of work on the North Coast before taking her position in the Kootenay region, having worked with SD52 in a range of positions from 1981-1995.

She then returned to the Prince Rupert District in 2009 to take up the responsibilities as Superintendent of Education, that after serving for a number of years in the Okanagan Skaha School District.

Her time at the helm of SD52 came amidst some challenging moments for the board, including the great Yertle the Turtle debate related to freedom of expression by District teachers.

Some of our past notes of Ms. Hauptman's time with SD52 can be reviewed below.

April 2013 -- Now the School District really does need a succession plan
February 2013 -- School District T shirt controversy catches the eye of the BC Civil Liberties Association
January 2013 -- More discord between Union and School Board
December 2012 -- Glad tidings to you wherever you are (except perhaps the SD52 office)
December  2012 -- At SD52 when it comes to consultants, everything old is new again ...

A statement from SD5 officials observed how the educator and superintendent had 'nourished a strong culture of inquiry based teaching and learning that encouraged positive, inclusive, safe and caring classrooms and improved learning outcomes for students in the the District'.

As they wished her well in her retirement it was noted that 'she leaves the field of education with a great legacy of achievement'.

The farewell to the Kootenay School District has been chronicled by a number of media organizations this week as word was released of her pending retirement

May 24 -- SD5 Superintendent Lynn Hauptman retiring at end of school year
May 24 -- SD5 superintendent heads to retirement
May 24 -- School District 5 superintendent announces retirement
May 24 -- Lynn Hauptman retiring as School District 5 Superintendent

For more notes related to education on the North Coast see our archive page here.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Now the School District really does need a succession plan!

Apparently Prince Rupert can deal with multiple dramas at the same time, as School District 52 seeks to go item for item up against its City Council compatriots in the headline generating business.

In a very busy week that has seen Prince Rupert City Council struggle with its budget concerns (complete with a mini drama over the City owned communications company), the School District grabs a bit of the spotlight on its own.  Offering up a new item up for discussion, (upper management succession) all while still trying to come to terms with their own Budget planning for the year ahead.

The latest shocker from the School District was the word received Tuesday, that Superintendent Lynn Hauptman had announced that she will be taking up duties with the Southeast Kootenay District, District 5, effective August of this year. No details were released through either the SD 52 or SD 5 websites as to what position Ms. Hauptman is to take up when she arrives in the Southeast Kootenay's in four months time.

(Update: Janet Steffenhagen of the Vancouver Sun outlines in an in item in the sun that Ms. Hauptman is to be taking the top position at SD5 see full Sun story here)

Ms. Hauptman, who had previously worked in the School District from 1981-95, as a teacher, counsellor, Vice-Principal and Principal, returned to Prince Rupert in 2009 taking up the responsibilities of Superintendent of Education after serving a number of years in the Okanagan Skaha School District.

She arrived back on the North Coast amidst much interest in the nature of upper management, a fair amount of it coming from the departure of the former Superintendent Eric Mercer.

Along the way from 2009, ongoing developments within the School District continued to catch the eye of local residents, most recently with the revelation of the continued reliance on consultants, in particular, the cost of the use of those consultants which made for a bit of controversy late last year.

Last winter however was not the first we had heard of the the consultants situation, the topic received a fairly extensive review by the Vancouver Sun's Janet Steffenhagen back in 2010, an article that filled in some of the gaps in the story to that point.

Updates from all no doubt soon to be in the works, owing to the newest developments.

With the announcement of Ms. Hauptman's pending departure, School Board Chair Tina Last praised the Superintendent's leadership skills during her stay on the North Coast and offered up her observation to the Northern View, that the District had seen improved results for students, based on Ms. Hauptman's "focus on improved instructional methods by our teaching staff".

Of course, in that same period of time, there seems to have been a bit of a backlash from the local Teacher's union over management decisions in recent years. The famed Yertle the Turtle incident and recent Charter of Rights T shirts controversy, just the public face of some of the underlying tensions within the School District.

It is of interest to note that the topic of political messaging has also been a rather hot button issue in School District 5 Ms. Hauptman's soon to be new home. Considering her experiences on the theme from her time in Prince Rupert, she'll no doubt have much to share on the topic with the Southeast Kootenay District.

Her departure however could put Prince Rupert back to where it was five years ago in the need for stability at the top and will once again provide for much discussion on the way forward for School District 52.

At the moment, the School District is currently embroiled in disagreement over the controversial administration succession plan, particularly a recommendation on staffing put forward to the School District at the most recent budget meeting.  The key stumbling point seemingly the requested increase in the number of vice-principals in the District, with an eye towards upcoming retirements.

A plan that was seemingly vetoed at the District Board level by four dissenting votes, leaving the School District's Budget process still unfulfilled,  it will be the topic of discussion at the next School District meeting of April 30th at 5:30 PM.

Perhaps at that time, the School District may also find some time to outline what steps are ahead in replacing Ms. Hauptman, and where the vision for the School District may turn next.

You can review our past items of note on SD52 the good, bad and confusing from our archives.

Media items on the latest developments can be found below:

CFTK-- Hauptman Leaves SD52 (video)
CFTK-- School District 52 Superintendent says Goodbye
Northern View-- Superintendent of Prince Rupert's school district announces plan to move

The Search is on at School District 52

The quest to find a replacement for departing Superintendent Lynn Hauptman has commenced as the Prince Rupert School District provided a few items of note on the process ahead at its last meeting.

In a media release issued by the School District on May 14th, SD52 advised that they will be making the use of the services of Make-a-Future, a provincial data base and jobs posting service for teaching professionals.

The timeline for replacement doesn't appear to be of a short term period, as the School District's release advised that the new superintendent will be announced over the summer.

Ms. Hauptman's departure for the Southeast Kootenay's was announced on April 23rd, with Board Chair Tina Last providing the tribute to the departing Superintendent's work in the community as part of the announcement. 

We offered up this review of those developments, with this item on the blog back on April 25th.

Left unsaid in both items released to the media, was whether the School District would be making use of a consultant once again in the search for a new Superintendent.

Consultant's fees have proven to be a rather controversial topic over the last few years when it comes to the School District. So the prospect of more consultation (should it be required) to guide the School District through this latest required changeover, would no doubt be of interest to observers of School District spending.

In addition to the School District announcement on the search for Ms. Hauptman's replacement, the Board also announced that the 2014 Annual Budget had been passed.

That after Board members  reconsidered the controversial succession plan that had been offered for consideration by Ms. Hauptman, prior to her departure.

At the April 9th meeting of the School District Board, that plan was panned by four number of the trustees, which resulted in the need to reconsider it all, with the benefit of a four day break.

As events played out at the May 13th meeting, the Board voted to reconsider Ms. Hauptman's proposal, turning it down, and with it for now we imagine, plans to increase the number of vice principals in the District.

PRDTA President Joanna Larson provided some play by play of those deliberations of May 13th, by way of her twitter feed, highlighting the nature of the discussion as the Board weighed the issue of the succession planning.

Those looking for the fine print and details on the Budget for the year ahead are advised to watch the School District website, where the approved budget will be posted "in the near future".

You can review our items of note on School District Developments from our Archive page.

Update: The Northern view outlined the discussion points from the May 13th meeting, posted to their (e edition on May 22nd pg 8).

Administrative changes for SD 52

While she may have been busy packing up the box files for her pending departure for southern reaches of the province, Superintendent Lynn Hauptman was also apparently busy redrawing the administrative flow charts for the upcoming school year.

We're not sure if it was part of the controversial succession planning that was discussed earlier in April, but change is coming to the Administration level at SD52, as three Principals prepare to change schools.

In an announcement from School District 52 from May 31st, Ms. Hauptman and Tina Last, Chair of the Board of Education outlined the changes for September.

For High School students there will be a new face in charge at Charles Hays Secondary this fall, as Mrs. Sandy Pond will be moving to Charles Hays from the Pacific Coast School.

Moving across town as Mrs. Pond takes up her new duties on Prince Rupert Boulevard, will be the current CHSS Principal Sheila Wells. She will take on new challenges with Ecole Roosevelt Community School.

Ms. Wells arrives on Roosevelt Hill as Mrs. Susan Kobza heads downtown, set to take over as Principal at Pacific Coast School.

The staffing decisions may be the last bit of work for Ms. Hauptman, in April the School District announced her departure for this summer.  

The announcement of pending change in upper administration, brings to an end her time as Superintendent with the Board of Education, a position which she held since 2009.

As we outlined on the blog in May, the School District is currently seeking her replacement, utilizing the Make a Future website.  SD52 had no update on how that search is progressing in their press release of May 31st.

The full Media release announcing the changes can be found here.

You can review our archive of items on School District 52 here.

School District winds down deliberations for school year

The classes have almost emptied for the year, with just a few things left on the SD52 calendar for June.

The last few items of business, before the launch of summer vacation for the students, a bit of rest for the teachers and the search for a new Superintendent moves forward at the Board level.

With the summer beckoning, the SD52 Board met for their final session of the school year on June 11, outlining by Media release, what they believe were the Highlights of the Board Meeting.

While we wait for the official minutes to be released (May's meeting currently tops the archive page) you can review the thoughts of the Board through their Media release.

It provided an update on the Restitution project, a Camp Jupiter advisory and some background on the District Improvement Contract, currently in its 4th year of the Board's Five year plan.

Than contract is designed to reach the goal of the Board to "Ensure each student successfully completes their educational program with a sense of hope, purpose and control."

Towards the focus of that contract, Board Chair Tina Last received the report with a comment that the "signs of improvement are encouraging and we look forward to further success in the year ahead."

Not mentioned in their Highlights review of June 11th was what appears to have been a controversial motion from Trustee Marty Bowles.

He had put forward a number discussion topics on money saving suggestions that for the most part appear to have been dismissed at the June 11th meeting. Mr. Bowles was not in attendance at the June 11th session to expand on them or to comment on the Board's apparent dismissal of them.

The scope of his proposals was outlined in the Friday edition of the Northern Connector (see here, page nine).

Among the motions reviewed, Bowles had reportedly offered up suggestions regarding out of town conferences that SD Board members attend, limits to Professional Development Days for trustees, issues on the requirements for special needs students and giving the Board a more active role in the movement of administrators at the schools, a suggestion that the Board rejected, suggesting that the last item was the responsibility of the Superintendent of schools alone.

On the topic of Superintendents, in addition to putting a wrap on the deliberations for the 2012-13 school year, some housekeeping took place at the District level, as SD52 made sure somebody had the keys to the office for the summer.

At that final session, the Board of Education named Ms. Sandra Jones at the Acting Superintendent for the District effective on July 1st, outlining her background with the School District since her arrival in the community in 1982.

She accepts the Acting Superintendent role while the School District continues on with their quest for a full time Superintendent to take over from the departing Lynn Hauptman.

The School District did not outline in its press release if Ms. Jones, will be one of the prospects that their executive search group Make a Future is considering. Actually information on that search for a replacement for Ms. Hauptman seems to be rather slow in coming.

A quick scan of the Make A Future website suggests that perhaps they have completed their research on the topic of the SD52 Superintendent's position, as at the moment, the Make a Future careers section only features Teaching and support positions available in SD 52

The School District has not outlined by media release or any other form of communication, what direction they may have given to that search group as to what are the key aspects of local leadership they are looking for.

Leaving a number of questions for parents, teachers and current administration as to what the School District may be looking for.  And whether a combination of administrative experience and local knowledge would be preferable, as opposed to starting fresh with an outside hire with no connection to the current School District landscape.

An update from the School District on the progress of their search for a new superintendent would no doubt be quite welcome from all.

You can review our original item on that search for a new administrator from our May 21st post here.

Our archive of School District 52 items can be found here.

School District stays in house for Superintendent's position

School District 52 has a new Superintendent in place as of July 4th, as Sandra Jones was announced as the successor to Lynn Hauptman, who departed for Southeastern British Columbia last month.

Tina Last , the Chair of the Board of Education issued the media release last Thursday, advising as to Ms. Jones promotion, outlining her background with the School District and the sense of excitement that the Board has in her taking over Ms. Hauptman's duties.

The appointment comes after the School District made use of the Make-A-Future educational job service, as we outlined on the blog in May, it is posting board of sorts that outlines available positions across the province and attempts to match up potential candidates with job opportunities.

The press release advises that the Board of Education with the assistance of Make-A-Future completed an extensive search to identify the best candidate for the position, in this case, it appears they both agreed on the person who held the Assistant Superintendent's position during the search period.

In the release, the new superintendent expressed her thoughts on her past service with School District 52 and looked ahead her work ahead with the district staff team, community and aboriginal partners across the District.

As she takes on her new duties at the School District office there are a number of issues to address, past grievances between SD52 and the local teachers' Union, as well as long running themes of school performance concerns, graduation rates and the past use of consultants that has raised a few eyes over the years.

The announcement of Ms. Jones as the new Superintendent is just one of a number of changes at the School District in recent months, with a number of principals changing schools for September.

You can review more background on past School District issues from our archives.

Glad tidings to you wherever you are (except perhaps the SD 52 office)

One gets the impression that perhaps instead of Christmas Cards in December, the School District and the Prince Rupert District Teachers Union exchange lumps of coal in the gift giving season, such seems the level of distrust and disillusionment surrounding education in Prince Rupert these days.

While students across the District prepare for their Christmas concerts in this season of goodwill, the two sides in what seems like the longest parade of labour angst in the province continue on along their path, the latest salvo the symbolic motion of non-confidence recently issued by the PRDTU.

In their motion, the Teachers Union pointed to the ongoing presence of Dave Stigant as one of their main concerns of School District financing not being directed to more useful purposes. Mr. Stigant, a consultant with School District 52 has been in his position dating back to the controversial and for the most part unexplained departure of Eric Mercer back in 2009.

As we recounted earlier this month, he arrived back at the School District after SD52 contacted Gary Doi in the Okanagan for advice on staffing requirements.

At the time, Mr. Doi forwarded the name of Mr. Stigant as a temporary Superintendent to bridge the departure of Mr. Mercer, prior to submitting the name of the current superintendent Lynn Hauptman to fill the post on a permanent basis.

Yet three years later, Mr. Stigant seemingly still holds much sway over local educational matters, called upon to assist the School District in the growing file of grievances launched by the Teachers' Union. A task for which he receives fairly significant compensation, money that the Teacher's Union suggests could be better re-routed towards education in the community.

Those grievances are proving to be a costly expense for the School District, an expense that the PRDTU suggests could better be spent on students, rather than the ongoing skirmishes with the District's teachers.

Included in those grievances, the infamous Yertle the Turtle debate, which briefly put the Prince Rupert School District in the international spotlight, perhaps not for all the best reasons.

Other issues of concern that led to the latest motion of non confidence include severance packages for past administration, and the perspective from the union, that the School District is exhibiting a level of disrespect to teachers.

The head of the PRDTU Joanna Larson, who is currently seeking the nomination for the NDP for the North Coast riding, expressed frustration on behalf of her membership over the approach that the School District is taking with the local teachers and the tumultuous relationship between the teachers and the Board of Education.

To that end, one should look no further than to Ms. Larson's twitter feed which expressed disappointment at news of  the re-election of Tina last as the Chair of the Board.

The latest flare up on the educational labour front has not escaped the notice of the Vancouver Sun's Janet Steffenhagen, who has catalogued much of the previous drama surrounding the departure of Eric Mercer in her Vancouver Sun educational forum.

Her archives make for a helpful guide to some of the background that stretches back some four years now.

Heavy cost of education consultants in Prince Rupert

The Northern View also provided a pair of local reviews here and here on the latest development in the ongoing troubles between teachers and administration.

We're not sure what to make of it all, clearly there would seem to be a large volume of issues that need to be addressed on the local education front.

One thing seems certain however from all of this late December drama, the concept of letting Auld Acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind, just won't be on the agenda when the New Year arrives.

At SD 52 when it comes to consultants, everything old is new again...

It's as though every day is Groundhog Day at SD 52, as the topic of consultants at the School District once again grab some headlines in the community.

The Northern View has provided some details to the reports of a recent press release from the Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union, which have the Teacher's Union wondering yet again, why Dave Stigant remains on the payroll in a consultancy position.

We use the term again, as this of course is not the first time that the Dave Stigant story has popped up when it comes School District talking points.

It's a tale that seems to go back at least three years or more, part of the changes to the School District Administrative structure upon the departure in 2009 of one time Superintendent Eric Mercer.

Janet Steffenhagen of the Vancouver Sun filed her first report on the cost of consultation in Prince Rupert back in 2009, which highlighted how Gary Doi, himself once a former School District 52 staff member and at the time working for the Okanagan Skaha district, shortlisted two names  for SD 52, both of whom also had connections with Okanagan Skaha.

One supposedly a short term option (Mr. Stigant) and a longer term solution, that being Lynn Hauptman, who returned to Prince Rupert and currently holds the title of Superintendent of Schools for the District.

November 14, 2011-- Retired and rehired in B. C. School Districts
March 12, 2010-- Heavy cost of education consultants in Prince Rupert
April 30, 2009-- Prince Rupert and Eric Mercer: Update
April 18, 2009-- Prince Rupert paid $144,802 to send superintendent packing
March 29, 2009-- A superintendent's mysterious departure

It all makes for a fascinating review, calls to mind many still unanswered questions of the time and offers up a fair amount of background to the current situation.

Brought to our attention once again  this week with the PRDTA Freedom of Information request.

According to the details in the Northern View,  Mr. Stigant who when working on SD 52 business makes $800 dollars per day, also receives compensation in the form of rental accommodation of $500 dollars per month. The total expenditure from September 2010 to December 2011 reportedly some 128,859 dollars.

All of that despite the fact that the administration staffing levels of the School District have increased in the last three years. Positions filled, that one would imagine should surely mean that we no longer require the services of Mr. Stigant or any other consultants on an ongoing basis.

It would seem that for the most part, if we read between the lines a bit, that he remains part of the local picture to deal with what seems to be a rather large file of union/management disputes that SD 52 seems to have, something that seems to be his speciality in the province.

While his time in Prince Rupert is well compensated, his work closer to home in the Okanagan seems to provide for a hometown discount, as Okanagan Skaha Superintendent Wendy Hyer famously recounted "(Stigant) is a deal because he resides in the area and won't require a travel allowance". 

Apparently if the figures revealed by the PRDTU are any indication, one communities "deal" is an "expensive incidental" for another.

In the current labour climate not only in the province, but within School District 52, the motives of the local teachers union will always have to be framed in the ongoing troubles that seem to dog relations with SD52.

Still, considering that this topic goes back three years now, perhaps it's time for School District 52 to provide the community with a bit of an update on the Expense side of the ledger, outlining what it is that Mr. Stigant does, that can't be done by the seemingly growing  administrative staff.

As part of that never ending quest for transparency,  the School District could offer up details on public record for us all, as to why a consultancy that started in 2009 was required at the time and more importantly perhaps, why it continues on to this day.

And most importantly of all, if the ongoing use and cost of consultants is having an impact on the delivery of actual educational pursuits within the School District.

Three years on, there still seem to be far more questions than there are answers.

CFTK-- Prince Rupert School District has paid out over $125,000 to Consultant

A year of change for School District 52

A reorganization of the entire district is how Superintendent Lynn Hauptman describes the year to come for School District 52, she outlines her thoughts on what's ahead in this article in the Northern View.

School District T shirt controversy catches the eye of the BC Civil Liberties Association

The controversy over the wearing of Charter of Rights t shirts by teachers in Prince Rupert classrooms may live on just a little bit longer now, as the issue has caught the attention of the province's Civil Liberties Association.

To refresh your memory, last week the latest in battle of wills between the Prince Rupert District Teachers Union and the School District played out over the wearing of T shirts which featured passages from Section Two of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the Canadian Constitution.

The disagreement, the latest of issues between the two sides, received a further review on CBC's Daybreak North program last week, as both PRDTU President Joanna Larson and School District Superintendent Lynn Hauptman outlined their positions on the controversy, though not in a face to face setting .

The topic gained a bit of notice provincially through items in the Vancouver Sun, here and here, but for the most part that appeared to be the end of the issue on the local scene.

Though as the latest of events show, the T shirt controversy may yet get a second act.

Today the BCCLA weighed in on the topic, releasing it's thoughts on the controversy, calling the ban "laughable", akin to the thing of an Air Farce skit. Arguing it's position that with the ban, "the School District has violated both the teachers' and students' rights to learn, think and talk about fundamental freedoms."

Going further, the BCCLA provides a copy of its letter to Tina Last, the Chair of the Board of School District 52, outlining its concerns over the decision to ban teachers from wearing the shirts, going so far as to summon up some Shakespeare to make their point.

One of their key points being, that "the School District, as a governmental body that is bound by the Charter, simply does not have the authority to forbid teachers from wearing these t-shirts".

They close with a reminder to the School District that it is "bound by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and that it does not have the authority to breach the rights contained in the Charter without lawful justification according to the tests set out by the Supreme Court of Canada."

The latest contribution to the discussion most likely means that the topic will remain on the burner for  little while yet.

School District 52 has it's next Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th, we're not sure if the topic makes it to the agenda for next week, but with a Question and Answer Period provided for at every meeting, perhaps the topic may make it into the discussion at some point.

The Northern View-- Teachers remain defiant over shirts with political message (e edition Feb 13 pg 5)

School District names Ken Minette Director of Instruction

It may be summer vacation time, but School District 52 is continuing on with some changes to the management structure for the return of School in September.

On July 11th, the School District announced that it had appointed Mr. Ken Minette to the position of Director of Instruction, taking on those duties on a half time basis, while he continues on with his duties as Principal of Prince Rupert Middle School.

Tina Last, the Board of Education Chair outlined the nature of the position and provided some background on Mr. Minette's service to the School Board, you can review the announcement here.

The appointment is set to take effect on August 1st and marks the latest in changing duties for SD 52 administrators, the School District recently announced that Sandra Jones would be taking over as Superintendent of Schools for the District.

In early June, School District 52 made a number of changes to the staffing of senior administration at a number of schools, which you can review here and here.

It's been a fairly busy few months for School District 52, with many of the changes in administration taking place after the departure of Lynn Hauptman, the former Superintendent who in April, announced that she was leaving the District to take up duties in the Kootenay's.

You can review some of the timeline of change for SD 52 from our archive page.

July 17-- PRMS principal Ken Minette takes new role (N View e edition pg A13)

School District 52 prepares for a new school year

The weather of late, seems inclined to rush summer out of the way, a sure sign that the new school year is almost upon us once again.

And with August's days dwindling, School District 52 has started to outline the launch of the upcoming school year.

The School District begins the 2013-14 school year with a new, but familiar name at the top of the staffing list, as Sandra Jones takes over as Superintendent of Schools.

As we outlined on the blog in July,  she was named to the position in July, taking the place of Lynn Hauptman who has relocated to South East B. C.

When the schools reopen on September 3rd, a number of principals will take up new duties at different schools, prior to the school year ending in June, the School District announced a number of staff shifts for the 2013-14 school year.

Among those changes, Sheila Wells moving from Charles Hays to Ecole Roosevelt School, with Susan Kobza moving from Ecole Roosevelt School, to take up duties with Pacific Coast School.

Rounding out the summer of change at the schools, Sandy Pond has shifted from Pacific Coast School to become principal of Charles Hays, joining her at CHSS and taking up  duties as Vice-Principal  is Carla Rourke.  That leaves Vice-Principal Kevin Leach as the lone holdover in upper administration at Charles Hays for this school year.

Ken Minette continues on as Principal of Prince Rupert Middle School, but has added on the duties of Director of Instruction, he will take on those tasks on a part time basis.

As for the launch for the 2013-14 school year, registration will take place starting on August 26th,  for those new to the District or those have moved to a new school area.  All elementary school offices will be open from August 26th to August 30th from 9 AM to 12 Noon.

Likewise registration for new students will be taking place at Charles Hays Secondary School Prince Rupert Middle School and Pacific Coast School from August 26th to August 30th.

Schools will open on Tuesday, September 3rd according to the following schedule.

All Elementary Schools for Grades 1 to 5, will have a two hour opening from 10 AM to Noon for the first day of school. Families of Kindergarten students will be notified of start dates and times by their schools.

Prince Rupert Middle School has divided up the launch of the first day of school, with Grade 7 and 8 students attending from 10:30 AM to Noon, while Grade 6 students are to attend from 1 PM to 3 PM.

Charles Hays Secondary has also split up the first day of school Grade 9 and 10 are to attend at 9:45 AM, while Grade 11 and 12 students are to arrive at 1 PM.

Pacific Coast School will hold it's first day of school from 10 AM to Noon for all Grades.

Regular Classroom Instruction for all schools will begin on Wednesday, September 4th.

With the opening of school, the various transportation methods are once again on schedule, a full review of the Ferry and Bus schedules as well as more details on the opening of school can be found from this information sheet from the School District.

A stand alone guide to the Regular Bus Schedule for the District can be found here.

The first meeting of Board of Education for School District 52 is set for September 20th at 7 PM.

You can review items of interest on School District 52 from our archive page.

More discord between Union and School Board?

Prince Rupert may soon be in store for a replay of the battle of wills between the local teachers union membership and the School Board, something last seen in the great "Yertle the Turtle debate" of last year.

Rumblings along the world of twitter through the day today have it that a bit of a kerfuffle has evolved in the local schools over the wearing of  t-shirts, one which features a passage from the  Charter of Rights and Freedoms from the Canadian Constitution.

The section in question is section 2, which guarantees Rights and Freedoms for those studying their Canadian constitution handbook at home.

The main thrust of the discussion it seems is, that according to the PRDTU President Joanna Larson, the t shirts were deemed one of a political message of sorts and a request we gather was made that they be removed from the school(s) in question.

That at least are the details the Vancouver Sun has discovered after conversations with both sides.

From there, the discussion has moved onto the social networks with much in the way of examination of what is and is not considered a political statement and what is considered the expression of free speech.

For those that wish to follow along with the theme, the twitter feed #bctf perhaps offers the best starting point to try and make sense of all of today's developments.

So far, there have been no public press releases put forward to the media from either side, short of the item now published in the Sun, and the flurry of activity on the social network of the day and all of that was from the BCTF perspective.

So for now it appears to be an internal thing at the local level, though judging by the tone of some of the discussion of Monday, there is the possibility that it may spawn further such displays across the province and perhaps into another province.

Some of the twitter reaction of Monday came from Ontario, which is currently embroiled in their own labour troubles in education and were seeking out information on how to show their support.

More of the mystery of the latest dispute between School District 52 and the local membership of the PRDTU may be revealed tomorrow morning on CBC Radio's Daybreak North. Prince Rupert based producer/researcher George Baker seems to suggests as much with his own contribution to the twitter debate today. An indication that perhaps a report is planned for 7:15 on the morning news program.

This latest local brush fire comes as things appeared to have settled down over the last year or so in the wake of last years dispute between the BCTF and the Ministry of Education.

Prior to today's discussion point, the education dispute of the previous year had given all the appearances of being in a bit of a holding pattern, set to remain that way it seemed until the next provincial election in May is out of the way.

Though it does seem that Prince Rupert always has local issues that flare up on occasion, most recently the PRDTU expressed their concern over the ongoing use of consultants in the School District.

It has been an ongoing issue of their concern going back a few years now.

Today's dispute, could provide much of the same kind of coverage that last years Yertle the Turtle did, which again saw the topic of political statements and their place within the School District explored, gaining a fair amount of attention to the local dispute on the national level.

April 26, 2012-- Dr. Seuss classic Yertle the Turtle-- Too Political?
April 25, 2012-- Prince Rupert School District Vetoes Yertle the Turtle
April 25, 2012-- Dr. Seuss quote too political, Prince Rupert teacher told
April 25, 2012-- Dr. Seuss too political for B. C. students
April 24, 2012-- Dr. Seuss's Yertle the Turtle deemed to political for B. C. classroom
April 24, 2012-- Dr. Seuss quote too political for B. C. school

The t-shirt dispute it would seem may be in that same kind of category and most likely we will be hearing much more about it over the next little while.

Update:

CBC featured the controversy on the Tuesday morning edition of Daybreak North, audio of the report which featured both School District Superintendent Lynn Hauptman and PRDTU President Joanna Larson can be found here.

Georgia Straight-- Don't go wearing the charter on your back in Prince Rupert schools

Education 2018 -- School District 52 / Annunciation School Archives / Lax Kw'alams 2019

Our quick reference and archive of items pertaining to Education on the North Coast and in British Columbia.

School District 52 website

School District 52 Meetings Agenda page

School District 52 Meetings Minutes page

Annunciation School website

News Items of Note

(Charles Hays Athletics items can be found here)

Contract Negotiation Updates can be viewed here.

December

December 18 -- Conrad Elementary's Big Mural unveiling comes Tomorrow  NCR
December 17 -- Prince Rupert's students spend a day in someone else's chair
December 17 -- Literacy the focus with latest announcement from SD52  NCR
December 17 -- December School Board meeting hears of seismic risk for Conrad School, disappointing results on proposed teacher training  NCR
December 16 -- Lester Centre set the Holiday spirit this weekend with two spectacular musical shows  NCR
December 9 -- Charles Hays Secondary students switch it up at Freaky Friday
December 6 -- Charles Hays Production of Freaky Friday hits the stage (video)
December 6 -- CHSS presents 'Freaky Friday'
December 6 -- School's out for hockey
December 6 -- SD52 support staff among those to sign off on ratified agreements  NCR
December 5 -- Charles Hays Secondary's Totem Pole project continues to take shape NCR
December 4 -- Charles Hays students are set to get freaky this weekend
December 3 -- The vaping culture and the risks involved (video)

November

November 29 -- Final rehearsals ahead before Showtime next week for CHSS production of Freaky Friday NCR
November 29 -- SD52 Board sets liaison positions, hears of school plans and recent Vancouver trip NCR
November 18 -- SD52 discusses reconciliation for First Nations  (video)
November 14 -- Year One as SD52's chair: Horne on new curriculum, PRMS building, teachers' strike
November 14 -- Say cheese! Conrad Elementary students got a special treat for lunchtime
November 13 -- School District 52 taking bids on demolition projects for Kanata and Seal Cove Schools  NCR
November 13 -- Former SD52 schools to receive wrecking ball
November 13 -- SD52 issues reminder on vaccine status reporting program NCR
November 12 -- Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union demand letter of support from SD52 Board
November 12 -- Teachers reject Mediators Report as contract negotiations stall  NCR
November 12 -- School District 52 introduces Reconciliation Newsletter to chart progress on goals and share information with community NCR
November 11 -- Lax Kxeen Elementary students learn what it means to remember
November 8 -- Rupert Speakathon a spirited success
November 8 -- School trustees divvy up the work after election of officers  NCR
November 5 -- Students in Prince Rupert express eco-anxiety (audio)
November 1 -- A field trip to remember 
November 1 -- Talk till you drop: Prince Rupert Speakathon marathon starts today

October

October 28 -- "Out of the red for B.C. ed," demands Prince Rupert teachers' union
October 22 -- CHSS Student Debaters to make their voices heard in 25 hour fundraising speakathon NCR
October 18 - Prince Rupert's Correspondence Course in Teacher/Government Labour negotiations  NCR
October 17 -- How do you like these NDP apples MLA Rice? (Letter to NV editor)
October 16 -- Prince Rupert's students are baking it all the way to the bank
October 15 -- SD52 commits to Communities on the Move, explores more engagement with partner groups   NCR
October 14 -- Conrad is giving thanks
October 11 -- Fire Prevention in Prince Rupert (video)
October 11 -- Prince Rupert Fire Department hits the schools for Fire Prevention week
October 11 -- An Apple for the teacher, as MLA Rice brings NDP talking points to Teachers' Contract Dispute  NCR
October 8 -- "We need to compare apple to apples,' MLA Rice responds to teachers' rally (Letter to weekly paper Editor)
October 8 -- Prince Rupert's Fire/Rescue Department puts focus on safety during Fire Prevention Week  NCR
October 1 -- Orange Shirt Day in Prince Rupert
October 1 -- Fire Station Open House to be part of next week's Fire Prevention Week activities in Prince Rupert  NCR

September

September 30 -- Prince Rupert Orange Shirt march (video)
September 30 -- A walk to remember: SD52 Students Commemorate Orange Shirt Day
September 30 -- Orange Shirt Day
September 30 -- Prince Rupert Teachers' Union rally outside MLA Rice's Office
September 30 -- Prince Rupert marks seventh annual Orange Shirt Day with morning of reflective thought and march
September 30 -- Remembrance and Reconciliation today, as local schools observe Orange Shirt Day NCR
September 27 -- Prince Rupert's students aren't  backing down
September 27 -- SD52 looks to offer Education assistant course NCR
September 26 -- Prince Rupert students are baking a difference
September 20 -- Global Climate Strike (video)
September 20 -- Environmental rallies begin across Northern BC
September 20 -- What does PRMS want? Climate action. When do they want it? Now.
September 20 -- Climate Change the focus for students at noon hour Climate Strike in Prince Rupert  NCR
September 20 -- Global Climate Strike events set for northern BC
September 19 -- Ocean Wise AquaVan returning to Prince Rupert
September 18 -- Oceans the theme with Film Screening and return of the AquaVan to Prince Rupert NCR 
September 17 -- Conrad Elementary School mural plans moving towards fall unveiling NCR
September 13 -- Conrad Elementary opens new playground
September 13 -- Almost Harvest time for Charles Hays Secondary Greenhouse Project   NCR
September 13 -- Progress being made towards planning for replacement of Prince Rupert Middle School  NCR
September 13 -- SD52 covers range of material for first Board meeting of 2019-2020  NCR
September 12 -- Conrad Elementary Playground Opening (video)
September 12 -- Child Care 101: After Monday Council presentation Prince Rupert City Council is ready for the test on Child Care NCR
September 12 -- Conrad Elementary officially opens their new and improved playground
September 12 -- New Conrad Playground gets Grand Opening Celebration  NCR
September 11 -- SD52's literacy intervention program reads as a success
September 7 -- From pen-and-paper to senses and relationships
September 6 -- Northern Health opens application period for Imagine Grants for Fall 2019  NCR
September 5 -- Provincial government waiting on SD52 for progress on PRMS replacement  NCR
September 4 -- Prince Rupert says 'Oui, s'il vous plaît to French immersion
September 4 -- BC's NDP government gets into some school spirit with some new school celebrations NCR
September 3 -- Immunization reporting to be part of Back to School routined this September  NCR
September 3 -- With return of School ... comes return of School Zone Speed enforcement   NCR

August

August 30 --BC education talks break off without agreement; mediator calls for pause until September 23  NCR
August 30 -- MLA's to get mail, mail and more mail on themes of teacher's negotiations  NCR
August 29 -- Raven Tales program looking to teach skills and deliver a message
August 29 -- The Superintendent prepares to welcome back students, teachers and staff at SD52  NCR
August 28 -- SD52 puts out tender call for abatement work on schools scheduled for demolition  NCR
August 21 -- Themes of a "Second Home: dominate presentation for Council on latest Lester Centre notes  NCR
August 13 -- School preparation, employment openings and labour issues all set to converge on September 3rd for SD52  NCR
August 8 -- Friendship House prepares the welcome back to school for 2019; with plans for a school supplies distribution this month  NCR


July

July 31 -- For Grade 12 final exams the math didn't make sense and now re-tabulation is in order before final grades will be Final Grades  NCR
July 25 -- Middle School departure makes for SD52 Principal shuffle  NCR
July 24 -- School District 52 shuffles vice-principals for 2019-2020 academic year
July 16 -- Shhh! Don't tell the kids ... But the Back to School Schedule is out!  NCR
July 4 -- Why I am giving the Fraser Institute report card a C-
July 3 -- Play time! Conrad Park playground opens to the public

June

June 27 -- Prince Rupert high school trending upward on Fraser institute's rankings
June 27 -- Fraser Institute rankings pin two northwestern elementary schools among top 10% of BC schools
June 27 -- As School year ends, Fraser Institute Report Card is released for BC Secondary Schools  NCR
June 27 -- How two brothers relied on each other to transition from Syrian refugees to high school graduates (audio)
June 26 -- Port Edward still 1 million dollars in debt for school
June 19 -- New BC Teaching standards will feature commitment to Indigenous worldviews
June 18 -- Progress audit finds improvement in Indigenous education, with lots of work left
June 18 -- Prince Rupert Middle School replacement top priority for School District 52
June 17 -- Capital spending plans, school trips make for highlights of June School Board meeting  NCR
June 14 -- Prince Rupert school board meeting briefs: PRMS construction top priority
June 14 -- The Charles Hays Secondary Class of 2019 to be celebrated tonight at the Lester Centre  NCR
June 12 -- SD52 to host "Surplus Sale' this Saturday  NCR
June 5 -- SD52 Board Chair in a letter writing mood; with two correspondences for the Ministry of Education  NCR
June 5 -- Measles clinic available at two locations in Prince Rupert today  NCR

May

May 29 -- Familiar name from days of Education in Prince Rupert set to retire, as Lynn Hauptman bids farewell to Kootenay Region schools  NCR
May 28 -- MLA Rice feels pressure from local teachers as contract negotiations continue  NCR
May 23 -- Prince Rupert School District 52 receives more funds for 2019-2020 budget
May 22 -- PRMS Bands mix music and the sights on Edmonton tour  NCR
May 21 -- Art to take the outside wall at Conrad Elementary  NCR
May 21 -- New funding allows for additional spending for SD52 budget  NCR
May 18 -- From the Gyms of Prince Rupert to the BC Hall of Fame, Basektball BC Honours Rainmaker legend Mel Bishop  NCR
May 18 -- First ever Indigenous Symposium educates teachers in Prince Rupert
May 15 -- Northern Health's measles immunization 'catch-up' program includes clinic at Prince Rupert Middle School  NCR
May 13 -- Mel Bishop heads for the Hall (video)

April

April 29 -- Northwest elementary students expose their Canadian roots
April 25 -- Annunciation students fulfill wildlife wishes
April 24 -- Rupert Support Fair  (video)
April 18 -- Prince Rupert's alternate schools students find Pura Vida in Cost Rica
April 16 -- Stellar musicians, performers recognized at 54th Pacific Northwest Music Festival
April 15 -- Students find their voices at inaugural forum in Prince Rupert
April 12 -- Unsafe Seal Cove and Kanata schools to be demolished
April 12 -- Cuts to teaching positions, educational support an IT make for bulk of budget changes for 2019  NCR
April 10 -- Young Prince Rupert scientist, Cameron Sawka, off to Canada Wide Science Fair
April 9 -- Bring on the wrecking ball! Seal Cove and Kanata schools eyed for potential demolition NCR
April 9 -- SD52 Board to meet to review final Budget Decisions tonight  NCR
April 5 -- Rupert Attempted Abduction (video)
April 5 -- Attempted abduction in Prince Rupert
April 5 -- Prince Rupert RCMP investigate attempted child abduction report
April 4 -- Two men try to abduct student in Prince Rupert
April 4 -- Prince Rupert RCMP alert parents on attempted abduction on McClymont Trail as investigation launched NCR
April 4 -- Attempted Abduction  (RCMP statement)


March

March 20 -- Lax Keen rises in Fraser Institute elementary schools rankings
March 15 -- Rupert students stage city hall sit-in as part of world wide protest
March 14 -- Sensory playroom opens for children with special needs
March 14 -- Report Card Day for Northwest Schools with latest findings of Fraser Institute  NCR
March 12 -- CHSS Student takes School's First Win at Youthwright
March 12 -- CHSS Student Youthwright win  NCR
March 11 -- Prince Rupert middle-schooler programs robot to plant pea shoots
 March 6 -- Prince Rupert School District receives $1.5 million from province
March 6 -- Northern NDP MLAs welcoming provincial school enhancement funding in their ridings
March 6 -- Province providing $206 million in funding for schools to become safer and more efficient
March 6 -- SD52 to receive 1.5 million in funding for school enhancements  NCR
March 5 -- BC Liquor Stores once again throw their support behind Dry Grad 2019  NCR
March 4 -- Annunciation School set to open Registration period for Kindergarten program this fall  NCR
March 2 -- 35th Anniversary for Ridley Terminals makes for bounty of cash for North Coast communities/groups  NCR
March 1 -- Ridley Terminals Inc. investing $1 million in Northcoast communities to honour 35th anniversary
March 1 -- Ridley Terminals Donates $1,000,000 to the North Coast

February

February 28 -- Ridley Terminal donations (video)
February 28 -- Ridley Terminals donates $1 million to community projects
February 27 -- Rupertites show support for Pink Shirt Day
February 27 -- Local schools observe Pink Shirt Day in Prince Rupert  NCR
February 26 -- Prince Rupert's Alternate School goes international
February 26 -- Rainmaker icon Mel Bishop heads to Basketball BC Hall of Fame  NCR
February 25 -- Mel Bishop Heading into Basketball BC Hall of Fame
February 25 -- Coach Mel Bishop will be Hall of Fame inductee
February 25 -- Bishop Hall of Fame (video)
February 22 -- Prince Rupert students learn to chase away anxiety
February 21 -- SD52 Budget Consultation Process seeks input from public  NCR
February 19 -- SD52 sets Budget Decision criteria; reviews Aboriginal Education Parternship Agreement as part of February Board meeting  NCR
February 18 -- A counselor and a competitor
February 12 -- School District seeks review of eligibility requirements for students considering a career in teaching  NCR


January

January 31 -- High School completion rate decreases for Prince Rupert Aboriginal students
January 21 -- Aboriginal graduation rate in Prince Rupert drops in 2018
January 30 -- Registration period ahead for SD52 Kindergarten program  NCR
January 29 -- SD52 officials recruit for teachers and other professionals during Vancouver visit  NCR
January 25 -- Prince Rupert students learn to make art on a string
January 24 -- School District to ramp up psychologist search in 2019
January 23 -- SD52 sets Budget consultation dates; seeks feedback on calendar options for next three years  NCR
January 17 -- Prince Rupert Rotary offers chance to CHSS student to attend RYLA program on Sunshine Coast  NCR
January 10 -- Hockey Academy info sessions for Prince Rupert set for January 22nd  NCR


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