Amid bullying reports, VSB suspends process to close schools

Schools saved from chopping block for now The Vancouver School Board made a surprise decision to halt the process of closing schools, as it deals with bullying complaints.

The Vancouver School Board has voted to suspend the process to close up to 11 schools in the region, amid reports of bullying among staff.

A number of senior staff has left the VSB in the past week on medical leave.

WorksafeBC is now investigating after the B.C. School Superintendents' Association sent a letter to the provincial Ministry of Education, calling the work environment toxic, fostering fear and a lack of safety.

The group claims some members have become physically ill and forced to take leave, and the workplace has been "unstable and unpredictable for many months."

The letter also raises concerns that the situation could start impacting students.

The VSB recommendation to halt decision making on school closures came Monday night at the first board meeting of the year.

It is suspending the school closure process indefinitely, which means public consultations are also postponed.

Acting superintendent Steve Cardwell said the school closure process has been very hard on staff and the community.

Chair Patti Bacchus said there has been a huge amount of pressure on board members as it struggles with decision making.

"We're concerned about the wellness of really everybody in this organization as workloads are extremely heavy and the pressures are many," she told CTV News.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson tweeted his support for the Vision Vancouver school trustees who voted to suspend the process.