It's been years since a full executive sat at the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC), but School District No. 46 trustee Lori Pratt hopes that will change this year.
"I'd say it's a matter of just revitalizing it," Pratt said. "We [the school board] see it as a really valuable tool for all the PACs [parent advisory councils] to connect with one another, and it's actually part of our Bill 33 requirements to have DPAC sign off on Bill 33, which is about class size and composition."
DPAC also works on behalf of PACs to present a unified voice to the school board and the province.
The group can co-ordinate district-wide events on topics like grant writing or help individual PACs pool their resources for volume purchasing of things like emergency preparedness equipment.
"DPAC is also a great connecting resource to see what's going on elsewhere on the Coast," Pratt said.
While the trustee sings DPAC's praises, finding people to commit to a position on the executive has been difficult. Currently there is only one executive member, the secretary, who shows up to DPAC meetings.
"It's been like that for a number of years now probably at least four years. That's why it's important to the board. It's part of our strategic plan to help revitalize it, so that's why we have a trustee liaison right to DPAC," Pratt said.
Any parent with a child in school can become a member of DPAC, and Pratt hopes more parents will take on the challenge.
"It helps to strengthen the voice of parents. I see so much value in it," Pratt said.
The next DPAC meeting is Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at Chatelech Secondary School in the library.
All are welcome to attend. If you would like more information, contact Pratt at 604-885-3808.
