To the editor:
Re: “COPE heading toward oblivion,” Dec. 12.
I am a former COPE education committee co-chair, a long time teacher activist (now retired) and advocate for public education. I am disappointed that my friend, Allan Wong, has chosen to join Vision Vancouver, but that does not diminish my admiration for his tenacious and tireless work. Over 14 years, his commitment to improving and enhancing public education and to advocating for inclusion, social justice, equity, and other key issues has been unwavering. I am convinced that Trustee Wong will continue to provide credible and thoughtful leadership in the VSB and the community.
COPE internal chair Tim Louis is disingenuous in his criticisms. First, at the school board, there is no floor to cross. Productive working relationships, ultimately for the benefit of kids, often occur across partisan political lines. Second, Mr. Louis disparages the past electoral arrangement between Vision and COPE at his peril. After all, in the civic election of 2011, Mr. Louis accepted a COPE nomination to run for city council under the terms of that same arrangement. He could very easily have run as an Independent. Third, Mr. Louis calling Allan Wong’s values into question will get absolutely no traction from this school district’s students, parents, teachers, support workers or administrators. They know Trustee Wong. Mr. Louis says trustees “should be advocates for children beyond the school board.” He has not been paying attention. That, and much more, is precisely what Trustee Wong’s work with Justice not Charity and other initiatives is all about. Always.
Finally, the atmosphere at the 2013 COPE AGM, where Mr. Louis was elected internal chair by an overwhelming majority, surely gave Trustee Wong pause for thought about what, exactly, he was doing there. As he tried to give his educational report, chatter rose to a crescendo and Wong’s remarks — all about the school board, education and the work of the COPE Ed committee — were unheard. Who but a fool would suggest that this group cares about education?
