Jan 11 - School board at risk

Good morning !

Things are looking up at the Greater Victoria Public Library, where some 22K people have signed up for library cards since the GVPL stopped charging for overdue books, which is no laughing matter.
It may have a bit to do with the library’s extensive inventory of ebooks and audiobooks, but it’s good to see people reading up.

Speaking of extensive, our Sidney Coles gets deep into it with her piece on what’s going on with SD61’s Student Police Liaison Program.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

School board at risk of dismissal as tension with province over police continues

The ongoing debate over whether to reinstate the School Police Liaison Officer (SPLO) program in the Greater Victoria School District (SD61) may soon boil over. The stakes ratcheted up dramatically a month ago after Education Minister Lisa Beare rejected the district’s draft of the school safety plan she had ordered SD61 to produce.

Beare appointed a special adviser to work with the school board and staff to fast-track an amended safety plan, while indicating that she might boot the trustees if she wasn't satisfied with the result.

The board says the minister is overreaching her authority and that it will seek a judicial solution if it has to. Still, it submitted multiple draft plans earlier this week, saying it was doing so to avoid being replaced.

The issue began in 2023 when SD61 voted to fully eliminate the SPLO program (VicPD had already stepped away in 2019), citing concerns about a lack of oversight, transparency, and data on its effectiveness. 

Board & special advisor disagreed on final draft

The board was unsatisfied with a draft safety plan put forward by special adviser Kevin Godden, and quickly devised and submitted two other options, which Godden chose not to participate in. But those reworkings didn't include communication with local First Nations, exacerbating what has already been a breakdown in those relationships.

Meanwhile, some parents and teachers—including several at a Friday rally—argue that the focus should be on improving mental-health support and resources for students, rather than reintroducing a program they feel may disproportionately affect marginalized students.

Teachers' union and PACs speak against province's intervention

The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association and Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils argued on Friday that the threats were excessive and that the board should maintain local control. Supporters of the board’s stance highlight that the district already works with police in schools for specific tasks like risk assessments and training, without a formal liaison program.

How did we get here? Read Sidney Coles’ full story here. 

NEWS

The most popular books at Victoria libraries in 2024

Yesterday marked one full year of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s (GVPL) decision to do away with overdue book fees to incentivize people to use the library’s services—and it appears to be working. Since launching the fine-free initiative, 22K people have signed up for library cards, according to the GVPL.  

Reading, both physical and digital literature, remains a popular pastime for Victoria residents. Digital borrowing from the library increased by 20% last year, with ebooks, audiobooks, and online resources, such as Libby, Hoopla, and NYTimes.com, seeing record usage. In total, patrons borrowed 2.5M digital titles. 

Still, there’s nothing like sticking your nose in an actual book—Victorians borrowed a whopping 3.5M physical titles last year. 

The GVPL released its 2024 Most Borrowed Books List which compiles the most popular titles in all formats—print, ebooks, audiobooks, and large print—borrowed from all 12 branches and online. 

Among those checked out are some resounding favourites of the city’s bookworms.

Adults gravitated toward historical fiction, with popular titles carried over from last year’s list thanks to word of mouth, according to the library. Celebrity memoirs were still popular for adult non-fiction this year—they dominated 2023’s list—but it was psychology and self-help books that topped the list. 

Teens continued to be influenced by BookTok—a community for book recommendations on TikTok—and fantasy novels reigned supreme for the young adult category. Kids continued to enjoy comic books and graphic novels the most.

Here are the No. 1 GVPL books from each category—see which ones made the Top 10 here.

Adult Fiction: The Women by Kristin Hannah

Adult Non-Fiction: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Teens: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Kids: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney

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🗞️ In Other News

Cost of policing protests triples as demonstrations double in Victoria
VicPD say the force monitored 130 protests for safety in 2024, almost twice as many as the year prior. VicPD spent $1.5M in overtime related to protests and other emergencies in the first 10 months of last year—that’s three times and $1M+ more than the first 10 months of 2023. VicPD spent 178% more than its overtime budget. Some of that money will come back because the province covers the cost of protests at the legislature. [CHEK]

BC teen with avian flu teen discharged from hospital
The Fraser Valley girl spent 2 months at BC Children's, including time in critical condition on a ventilator and heart-and-lung machine. [Global] The BC CDC says its researchers have been genetically comparing the youth's case with that of a bird flu patient in Louisiana who died.

14 years later, condo project near legislature gets the go-ahead—again
A proposed eight-storey, 35-unit building at the Admiral Inn site was approved by Victoria’s city council in 2011. Project architect Alan Lowe—a former Vic mayor—wouldn’t say why the project has been delayed but said builder ADZ Properties feels now’s the time to move ahead. Mayor Marianne Alto said 35 units isn’t enough, considering the Admiral Inn already supplies 34 units. Coun. Jeremy Caradonna says he thinks “the city has gotten played.” [Times Colonist]

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🗓️ Things to do

🌊 Seaweed Workshop: Learn about food and medicine from the sea with marine biologist and wild seaweed harvester Amanda Swinimer in this workshop at James Bay Community School Centre. Today. 11am-1:30pm. [Info]

🗣 Sidewalk Talk: Something on your mind? This Downtown Victoria Residents Association community listening event has volunteers ready to hear your thoughts with 10-minute listening sessions at the Central Branch of GVPL today. 11am-2pm. [Info]

🐈 Pet Adoption Event: Paw Space Pet Boutique has four-month-old kittens, a seven-month-old kitty, and a mother cat looking for loving homes. If you’re looking for a furry friend, stop by the shop today. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🎛️ Beat Freq w/ Gatringer: Head to the Downbeat for a night of celebrating dance and community. Hosted by resident DJ Audiofox. Tonight. 9pm. [Info] 

🎷 The Soul Shakers: Dance to soul and R&B classics with a talented group of veteran musicians at Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎵 Groove Kitchen: Dance along with the party-hearty quintet, featuring interpretations of classics and contemporary tunes. Upstairs Lounge, Oak Bay Recreation Centre. Tonight. 7:30pm [Info]

🎨 Just Paint Experience: Head to Opus Art Supplies for a hands-on workshop on artists, creativity, and materials. Tomorrow. 9am. [Info]

⛱ Surfrider Foundation’s first beach cleanup of 2025 is to take place at Willows Beach tomorrow. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: BC lends a hand in devastating LA fires; The unclear fate of Crystal Pool; Seagulls thriving in the Salish Sea. [Jan. 10]

Ladysmith’s Pamela Anderson reflects on her career during appearance on The Tonight Show. [CHEK]

Beavers’ impressive construction on Gabriola Island. [Facebook photos]

Elections BC to probe improper voting complaint in Oct. provincial election. [Toronto Star/CP]

Traffic disruptions and CCTV expected for downtown demonstration today, 1-4pm.