Parents are up in arms after the president of a local elementary school PAC was given $10,000 from the group's funds B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ earmarked for students B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ for his personal legal fees. 

At the Nov. 26 Yennadon Elementary Parent Advisory Council general meeting, a motion was passed to provide PAC president Craig Towers with the money. 

According to the meeting agenda, which was posted publicly online, the motion was brought to the floor by Towers, himself.

"(Craig Towers) would like to bring a motion be it resolved, to seek that the PAC provide funds to me for the use in my legal defence. I move that the PAC provide me $10,000 for my legal defence at this time," read the agenda, noting that Towers had abstained from the vote. 

It is not clear why Towers needs the money for a legal defence, nor why this money came from the PAC coffers. 

There have been allegations made online, but they have not been substantiated. 

The B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· has reached out to SD42, the SD42 District Parent Advisory Council, and the Maple Ridge Teachers Association, but none would comment. 

"The school district would not be able to provide comment on any potential or ongoing investigations, as doing so could compromise the integrity of the process and the privacy of those involved," said school district spokesperson Irena Pochop.

The Yennadon PAC said it would be willing to share further information about what is occurring, but has been asked by the school district to keep the matter confidential for now.

"While the PAC values openness, transparency, and ultimately has little issue discussing what happened on this matter, the PAC has respected the school districtB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s request and will likely do so until they say the PAC is at liberty to share further," the response read. 

The Yennadon PAC also addressed a letter to families, which was posted publicly online, acknowledging many of them have seen the social media posts, heard the rumours, or have been otherwise informed about a legal matter concerning the PAC and its executives. It said again that because this is an ongoing legal matter, the school district, and PAC legal counsel, have asked it to keep the details confidential, "until the matter has been resolved."

"We believe it is in the best interest of all parties involved to honor that request for the time being," read the letter, calling any accusations made about the PAC and its executive team "serious" and "unfounded".

However, SD42 has told The B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· that the district has not told the PAC any such thing. 

"We are aware of statements suggesting that the school district has directed the PAC to keep this matter confidential or to redirect families to the district. To clarify, the district has not provided the PAC with any direction. PACs are responsible for managing their own communication with their communities," said Pochop.

The school district also acknowledged it is aware of what is going on with the Yennadon PAC, and noted PACs are independent, parent-led organizations governed by their own constitutions and bylaws.
 
"Decisions about PAC finances and activities are made independently by PAC members, and are not overseen or directed by the school district," she explained.
 
The school district is encouraging concerned families to engage with the school PAC directly through its established governance processes to address their questions and concerns. Or, Pochop said, families may seek support and guidance from the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC).

"Hearing from families is essential to ensuring that PAC decisions reflect the values and priorities of the school community," she said. 

Parents angry the funds have been taken from the PAC have been searching for answers online. 

One person asked if the other parents of students can sue the PAC for misappropriating funds, because it doesn't seem right the money won't benefit the students, which the PAC was formed to do. 

Another called the decision to give Towers the money disgusting, saying the decision is going to cost the PAC their provincial gaming grant valued at approximately $12,000, and that everyone involved in the decision should be embarrassed for taking away from the children.

However, another noted online they are most concerned about the lack of liability insurance to cover PAC members and volunteers for PAC-initiated events, saying PAC volunteers should not be put at risk when they are doing good for the community. 

This is a position echoed by the PAC. In its letter to families, the PAC said the decision to fund Towers was not made lightly. 

"Unfortunately, neither the Yennadon School nor School District 42 provide any type of liability insurance to protect the PAC or its volunteers while performing their duties. As such, when it was brought forward as a motion at the last general meeting, the PAC decided that providing funding to deal with these accusations and support our volunteers was an appropriate decision to make," the letter read. 

The B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· has also reached out to Craig Towers for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

The next PAC meeting is expected in January.