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Palliser Yet to Confirm Policy Extension Approval

Mar 29, 2016 | 7:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Palliser Regional Schools will be seeking legal advise before it will send its final “Safe and Caring Learning Environments” policy.

The original policy, which protects students and staff from any sort of racial, religious, gender or disability discrimination, was drafted in February. Feedback was welcomed from stakeholders, including school councils and the public, at that time.

The Board of Trustees has now requested an extension on the March 31 deadline from Alberta Education, to be able to gain even more public input before it submits the policy to the provincial government.

“A request came at the last meeting, and a motion was brought forward by some members that they would like us to incorporate reference to parental rights and religious rights. We need legal input to how the wording would appear,” noted Colleen Deitz, Board Chair.

Vice-Chair Robert Strauss has already met with Palliser’s legal counsel privately. He would now like the entire board to meet to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Alberta Education has confirmed that the request has been received, but they’re still waiting on final approval for the extension.

Deitz added that the board will “cross that bridge when it comes” if the extension isn’t granted.

You can view the draft policy here.