Last-minute occupancy permit granted as students return to Saanich school

Hundreds of students in Saanich spent their first day of school in a field instead of a classroom, as inspectors had yet to confirm the building was safe.

On Thursday morning, students and staff weren’t allowed inside the new Cedar Hill Middle School because it didn’t have an occupancy permit.

Teachers met their classes in the schoolyard, hosting hour-long assemblies for each grade before sending students home.

While it’s standard to shorten the first day of school, the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association (GVTA) said it’s unusual for students to be stuck outside.

“I understand that families really want their kids back at school, but I think we want kids back at school when everything is ready for them,” GVTA president Carolyn Howe told CTV News.

Later in the day, the new school was given conditional occupancy, the Greater Victoria School District (SD61) said in an email. Conditional permits can be granted for buildings that aren’t quite finished, but meet safety requirements.

Students will be allowed inside the building on Friday, SD61 said. Staff got access around noon, Howe said, giving them less than 24 hours to set up their classrooms.

“Teachers are really… frantic at this point,” she said.

“Teachers are going to be there late tonight and early tomorrow morning trying to get things as ready as they can.”

Most B.C. students were back in class on Tuesday, but Cedar Hill’s start was delayed due to a construction issue. The district, which repeatedly declined interview requests, said the problem had something to do with safety and accessibility, though it didn’t provide details.

“An additional day of preparation would have been absolutely appropriate for teachers to get those classes ready in a brand new building,” Howe said.

Parents told CTV News the district notified them of the delayed start a few weeks in advance.