Greater Victoria School District leadership placed on leave

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) board has announced that Superintendent Deb Whitten and several members of the senior leadership team have been placed on leave. This announcement follows the board's reinstatement in May after a court challenge regarding the dismissal of trustees in early 2025.

The board raised concerns regarding serious governance issues, alleging that key policies and procedures related to student safety, accountability, and fiscal responsibility were rescinded or altered during their absence. Furthermore, the board expressed concerns regarding potential “financial benefits” provided to individuals opposing the board's stance on school liaison officers, as well as transactions occurring outside of normal operating processes.

The dispute originally stemmed from a disagreement over the re-implementation of school liaison officers. The board's reinstatement occurred after it was revealed that the province failed to provide requested documents, including text messages between an education ministry official and a former Victoria Police Department deputy chief.