School Board pitching in to help parent groups in Kelowna, West Kelowna whose funds were stolen

KELOWNA – Following two recent thefts from parent advisory councils, the Central Okanagan school district is offering guidance and possible bridge funding.

RCMP are investigating alleged thefts of about $20,000 each from parent advisory councils at both South Rutland Elementary School and Glenrosa Elementary School.

“While the Board of Education is willing to provide support to parent advisory councils, PACs have a large degree of autonomy under the School Act and board policy, and the board has very little legal authority to exercise oversight on the management of their fundraising accounts and efforts,” states a School District 23 news release. “However, the Board will be offering support to PACs in a number of ways.”

Those include having staff work with councils to review their accounting practices and oversight.

“In addition, the Board of Education has asked district staff to work with the executives of the PACs whose accounts have been compromised, to find ways to provide bridge funding (primarily through loans) to support activities like field studies,” the press release states. “Parents and the principals of the schools will consider potential fundraising activities to replace the stolen funds.”

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