Schools Snitch

September 7, 2012 permalink

While opponents such as CCW (local copy of letter pdf) contend that school cooperation with children's aid is unnecessary, or even illegal, real schools are determined to refer families to CAS regardless of parental objections. Here is a current example letter signed by Tony Pontes (pdf) on behalf of the Peel District School Board.

Addendum: Vern Beck reports on a recent conversation with a school principal.

expand

collapse

Vernon Beck

I had a principal of a school call me last week and state that pressure was being placed on the principal by the Superintendent to allow CAS workers into the school in spite of the principal's difference of opinion about the legality of the CAS workers coming into the schools to speak to children. The principal hates CAS but it seems the Superintendent is friends with a CAS worker. The principal indicated being fearful of being fired if the instructions of the Superintendent were not followed. After telling the principal to start recording conversations with senior administration workers, the principal said that this would be implemented immediately as method of protection from intimidation from senior administration. The principal also said that CCW would be kept informed.

At some time in the future, we may have news to report of a Superintendent of Education at a school board being arrested and fired for extorting the principal. Below is a copy of one of the questions in the latest version of the Questions and Answers for school officials.

6) As a school board employee, is it lawful to secretly record conversations between myself and senior administrative staff?

In situations where school board employees may feel threatened or harassed by senior administrative staff over the issue of CAS workers coming into the schools or being involved at the schools, it is legal to secretly record conversations with senior school staff for one’s personal protection. Should senior administration staff attempt to put pressure on an employee such as a principal to allow CAS workers into a school against the principal’s own judgement then this could be considered as extortion under the Criminal Code of Canada depending on what was said and if recorded proof exists. Electronic recording is one of the best ways to protect oneself from unwanted workplace harassment or intimidation.

In this day of miniature digital recording devices it is very easy to do so. Recordings are also admissible in court in the event of a lawsuit by a school board employee against the Board as a result of the actions of senior administrative staff. Under the Education Act, Principals have the authority over the day to day operation of schools as it affects the students. Administrative staff should not be questioning a principal or putting the principal under pressure to engage in actions which may adversely affect students and which go against the Principal’s personal judgement. At the school level the principal has the final say and it the person who is ultimately responsible unless his/her decision is formally overruled on the record by the Board of Directors.

September 9, 2012

Source: Facebook, Canada Court Watch