Concerns about a maskless teacher that led to students being pulled from the classroom off northern Vancouver Island have been addressed by a staffing shuffle.

A.J. Elliott Elementary School students in Sointula are going back to the classroom today after upset parents had pulled them from their first week of learning due to a teacher鈥檚 mask exemption.

In an email to the parents that was obtained by the Gazette, the school鈥檚 principal Melody Watson confirmed that as of Sept. 13, the teacher in question has 鈥渁ccepted an alternative temporary position within the district鈥� and that her position at A.J. Elliott Elementary School will be filled with 鈥渁 TTOC (Teacher Teaching On Call) until a temporary replacement is found.鈥�

Parents Advisory Council president Brittany Swanson, a mother of three children who attend A.J. Elliott Elementary School, issued a statement on behalf of the group of parents. It said they are pleased that a 鈥渟olution has been found that provides us a learning environment that we are comfortable with while also respecting a teacher鈥檚 medical needs.

鈥淭his is a great outcome and our kids are excited to be returning to school on Monday.鈥�

She added the parents are grateful for the work done by all the staff at A.J. Elliott and the school board to find a quick and effective solution.

鈥淭hese are never easy conversations but it is worth it when everyone works together to find a good workable solution.鈥�

After 28 out of 34 students missed the first day of school last week over the issue, the Ministry of Education sent in a rapid response team to review local safety plans, ensure safeguards were in place to support a healthy learning environment and help communicate with the parents.

editor@northislandgazette.com
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