Langley school trustees have decided to continue rotating chairpersons at their monthly public meetings rather than elect one full-time.
The taking-turns policy was adopted after the sudden resignation of then-chair Joan Bech last year.
“It’s worked well for the board,” said trustee Stacey Cody, who proposed continuing the practice at the board’s Tuesday night meeting, the first with a full complement of trustees since Bech quit.
Trustees were expected to select a chairperson and vice-chairperson at that meeting, but Cody intervened, saying maintaining rotation would be “an opportunity for everyone on the board to show their leadership skills.”
Trustee Rob McFarlane resisted the idea, saying a full-time chairperson is needed to act as spokesperson.
“I believe the board needs consistency,” McFarlane argued.
Trustee Wendy Johnson said the rotation was supposed to be a temporary measure and continuing it would be “unheard of.”
They were the only ones to vote against the Cody proposal.
As a result, every trustee will take turns chairing each monthly meeting, beginning with Cody in February, followed by McFarlane in March, Steve Burton in April, Johnson in May, Cecelia Reekie in June, Alison McVeigh in September, Rod Ross in October and Cody in November.
Trustees did end another temporary measure by voting a return to an oral question period at the end of each meeting, rather than requiring written questions.
They also agreed that the questions must be about something being discussed at the meeting.