School trustee Sandra Nixon, who ran in the recent federal election under the NDP banner, was acclaimed chair of the Richmond Board of Education for another year.
New in an executive position is Heather Larson who will serve as vice-chair.
While the word “unprecedented” has been used to describe so many events in the past year and a half with the pandemic shutting down schools for more than three months and new COVID-19 protocols in place for more than a year in schools, Nixon said the way the school community has been “weathering the challenges” has also been unprecedented.
Looking forward, besides governing a school district still under pandemic restrictions, the board has several other key items it will be working on this year, Nixon said.
This includes looking at recommendations from the diversity and anti-racism working group, a sustainability and climate action plan that will be on the agenda in December, a revised long-term facilities plan as well as work on a school naming and renaming policy.
Nixon said she’s “excited” about a report coming to the board in December about a sustainability and climate action plan.
“I think it’s going to take us into the future as leaders,” Nixon said.
There’s also a report coming to the board in the new year from the diversity and antiracism working group, that will give direction to address issues of systemic racism and other inequality gaps in the school district, Nixon explained.
Municipal elections, including elections for the board of education, are set for Oct. 15, 2022.
