Queen Elizabeth Annex Parents' Society

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In December, 2023, Justice Gomery issued reasons for judgment in the matter brought by the Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents’ Society against the Vancouver School District (VSB).

We are very concerned that the judgment permits the VSB to make non-transparent decisions in contravention of its own rules. VSB-owned lands and buildings have an estimated value of over $7.6 billion, based on 2018 B.C. assessment numbers. If we allow the VSB to ignore proper process in its decision-making and ignore enrollment trends and federal, provincial, regional and local growth forecasting, it will spell disaster for public education in the city. It takes up to 9 years to plan and build a school, but VSB is only planning for the next 10-15 years. Its plans directly oppose the way all other government agencies plan for growth. VSB needs to plan for the next 30 years in line with other government agencies. Stopping school closures now will prevent the shortfall of schools the BC Ministry of Education is projecting over the next 10 years.

While we are appealing the decision to close QEA, the result of the appeal will have broader ramifications for all potential school closures across Vancouver. We have a team of top appeals-court litigators who see the merits of an appeal and the wider public interest in the case. They are taking on the appeal pro bono. Despite all the time being donated to this cause, there will be out-of-pocket expenses including the possibility that we may have to post security for costs with the Court in order to continue with the appeal.

We are very grateful for your ongoing support. Given the broader implications of this decision on all potential school closures, please consider donating once more for this final push in an important cause and show your support by encouraging friends and family to also donate.

Let’s save our public school system!

Our Go Fund Me is:

Save Vancouver Public Schools, organized by Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents Society Support our nonpartisan group of parents from schools across … Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents Society needs your support for Save Vancouver Public Schools

It is Giving Tuesday. Access to public schools is vital. Please consider donating to our legal action to stop closing schools. QEA is the first of many listed in a secret land strategy.

Save Vancouver Public Schools, organized by Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents Society Support our nonpartisan group of parents from schools across… Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents Society needs your support for Save Vancouver Public Schools

Our case has been made! After six exhausting days, the court has adjourned and now we wait for a decision from the judge. Our lawyer did an excellent job presenting the many problems with the closure and surplus procedures, including inadequate notice for meetings, insufficient public consultation, undisclosed secret meetings between Vancouver School District 39 senior staff and trustees, and misrepresentations and false data presented to the public and the school trustees.

Initially our lawyer expected to spend two days in court on this judicial review application and instead, with all the unwarranted applications made by other parties, she was in court for 15 days. In the final six day hearing she faced ten lawyers, all taxpayer-funded. A colossal expense simply because the school district chose to push through a closure with misleading and false justifications and without following its own rules.

Every parent in Vancouver should be concerned with this behaviour. We hope that the judge sees the importance of this decision for the future of public education in Vancouver.

We are still fundraising for the legal fees for this court case. Please donate what you can and share with your friends, family, and community.

Thank you for helping us to help the Vancouver School Board make better choices.

This is no longer about QEA. The threat of arbitrary decision-making is impacting all public school communities, especially those below the so-called "preferred school size" (350-550 students for elementary, 1200-1700 students for high school) that the VSB has focused on. VSB's secret Land Asset Strategy identifies 21 schools for closure, and another 26 sites for subdivision and sale. From whether a school will be left off of seismically upgraded seats, or closed, Vancouver public schools need to address the precedent-setting ramifications of the case to be heard October 3-6.

Queen Elizabeth Annex Parents’ Society’s petition for a judicial review of its school closure process will be heard in court next week. Join us to watch as we assert every Vancouverite’s right to a transparent, fair, and reasonable decision-making process by the Vancouver School Board.

Our hearing is booked for four days, Tuesday October 3 to Friday October 6, 2023, before Justice Gomery in the downtown Vancouver Courthouse. Swing by anytime between 10am-4pm to watch and show your support. The courthouse room will be listed on the court's website each morning and in the lobby of the courthouse by the name of the proceeding: Queen Elizabeth Annex Parents’ Society v. Board of Education School District No. 39, Registry No. S 231314.

This is no longer about QEA. The threat of arbitrary decision-making is impacting all public school communities, especially those below the so-called "preferred school size" (350-550 students for elementary, 1200-1700 students for high school) that the VSB has focused on. VSB's secret Land Asset Strategy identifies 21 schools for closure, and another 26 sites for subdivision and sale. From whether a school will be left off of seismically upgraded seats, or closed, Vancouver public schools need to address the precedent-setting ramifications of the case to be heard October 3-6.

QEA parents are part of a nonpartisan group of parents from schools across Vancouver working to stop school closures and land sales now. We have found sponsors willing to match donations raised between now and October 6th, so we can double your money. Please consider donating and/or spreading the word to your friends, families and contacts.

Donate now:

Save Vancouver Public Schools, organized by Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents Society Support our nonpartisan group of parents from schools across… Queen Elizabeth Annex (QEA) Parents Society needs your support for Save Vancouver Public Schools

Today, I've sent a second letter to the Minister of Education, demanding immediate clarity and action on the crisis unfolding within the Vancouver school system.

Schools are closing, land may be sold, while students are caught in the crossfire.

For years, the VSB has grappled with a lack of support and capital planning funding. Notably, there are also significant discrepancies between student population projections by the Ministry and VSB. Clarity on this issue is crucial for informed decision-making.

Vancouver's students and families need answers and accountability.

Minister Rachna Singh, I look forward to your response and immediate action to help relieve these pressing concerns. We must bridge the gap and ensure quality education for all.