Mosquito anti-loitering devices hit the news again last week when the Vancouver school district turned some back on after vandalism incidents at Kerrisdale annex and Henderson elementary. Another fire was then sparked on Henderson elementary school grounds Sunday night. Smoke got into two classrooms.
In that case, even though Mosquito units had been reactivated Friday, they don't switch on until 10 p.m. and the fire started earlier in the evening. The devices also weren't located near the spot where the fire happened.
The district plans to remove some shrubs and vegetation to improve the sightlines in the area. It's also working with the Vancouver Police Department to look at additional security strategies.
I asked VSB spokesperson Kurt Heinrich which Vancouver schools are targeted most by vandals. It varies from year to year, but Heinrich said Henderson, Moberly annex and Thunderbird have been hit hardest lately. "Prior to that Champlain Heights was also affected quite a bit," he noted.
Meanwhile, B.C. Civil Liberties Association executive director David Eby mentioned in a recent Courier interview he'd like to read the board's legal opinion on Mosquitoes, but it doesn't look like that will happen. "We do not generally make legal opinions public. They are provided to us on a private and confidential basis in order to protect our client/solicitor privilege status. We will be referring to the general legal conclusion, however, in our report to [the planning and facilities committee] in early June," Heinrich said.
That meeting, by the way, is set for June 5. Policy guidelines for Mosquitoes, specifics on signs, proper installation and consultation will be among topics discussed.
"We anticipate a recommendation to the board will be made on the districtwide policy and guidelines concerning the usage of Mosquitoes," Heinrich told the Courier.
STUDENT TRUSTEES
The Vancouver school district appears to be behind the possibility of student trustees-an idea pitched by the Vancouver District Students' Council Monday and mentioned in my last Class Notes post-but the provincial government seems to be happy with status quo.
I called the Ministry of Education to see if it had an appetite to change legislation to enable student trustees, as was done in Ontario.
A ministry spokesperson told me Tuesday, "The government isn't contemplating a change at this time- legislation already provides for students to be part of student planning councils."
The matter, however, isn't settled, at least in Vancouver.
The VDSC is expected to bring a formal proposal to the Vancouver School Board in the fall.
The student council held elections this week.
The newly elected president for 2012/13 is Jennifer Yoon and the vice-president is Rita Steele.
[email protected] Twitter: @Naoibh
