A motion put forth by Mike Rauch to amend the trustee code of ethics failed to pass during Tuesday's (April 15) Abbotsford board of education meeting.
The motion, seconded by trustee Jared White, called for trustees to have the option to waive confidentiality and request that code of ethics hearings be conducted in a public forum.
Both Rauch and White had code of ethics hearings earlier this year after a social media post by White praised American president Donald Trump's executive order to ban transgender athletes from women's sports. Rauch liked the post and then commented positively about it, but later deleted that comment.
The board stated that the activities of Rauch and White breached policy six of the trustee code of ethics and undermined the school district’s efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for all staff, students and members of the school community.
The hearing occurred in a closed-door meeting and it was announced that both trustees were censured on March 10.
Rauch initially apologized for his social media activity, but after hearing public feedback, he stated that the decision of the board was unreasonable and that the board had forgotten its obligation to women and girls.
White has refrained from public social media activity since the censure and declined to apologize.
Rauch said on Tuesday that he believes the code of ethics process does not promote fairness, transparency or accountability. He said a more open system would enhance public trust and be a safeguard for the board.
"With this motion, I am simply suggesting a more transparent process that gives our community the access to the work we do," he said.
White was the lone trustee to comment on the motion, saying he agreed with Rauch.
"Good democracy is built on things like freedom of speech and things like transparency," he said. "I think way more of what we do should be in the public light. This seems like a no-brainer to me."
Rauch also stated that the code of ethics was created by previous boards, but board chair Shirley Wilson pointed out that a trustee of code of ethics wasn't developed at the Ministry of Education level until 2023. The code of ethics was then adopted by the Abbotsford board, which included votes in favour by Rauch and White, in Jan. 23, 2024.
Rauch's motion on Tuesday saw Wilson, Preet Rai, Stan Petersen and Rupi Kanda-Rajwan vote against, with Rauch and White voting in favour. Trustee Korky Neufeld did not vote or attend the meeting as he is on a leave of absence until April 23.
