Lisa Hanna

3846 De Jong Crescent

Terrace British Columbia V8G 4W6

October 7, 2015
Coast Mountains Board of Education
School District 82
3211 Kenney Street,
Terrace, British Columbia
V8G 3E9
Dear Katherine McIntosh, Art Erasmus and Members of the Board:
It was with heartfelt sadness that I received your letter yesterday in my childs backpack,
regarding the passing of Gary Turner, School Trustee for Coast Mountains Board of
Education School District 82.
First, to be clear, I did not know Mr. Turner. I also express my deepest condolences to
his family and friends, and mean them no harm by writing this letter today.
However, I am shocked and dismayed that the Board of Trustees decided that it is
appropriate to close all local schools for an afternoon next week, irrespective of the
reasonable desire of some staff and students to attend his memorial service.
According to letter I received, Mr. Turner was A devoted School Trustee and he
served in this position for over 15 years reflecting outstanding dedication and service to
students and families in the Terrace and Thornhill communities. In a parallel letter,
posted to the School District 82 website, it states that In his sixth term as School
Trustee, a role he took on with passion and devotion, Gary made regular visits to his
liaison schools and served on the Business and Budget Working Committees for the
Board of Education. He made a difference in our school district communities and played
an essential role in the lives of thousands of students.
Mr. Turner appears to have been a valued member of the school board, a role for which
not many people offer to stand, and I applaud his service. However, in the same letter
delivered by my child, it goes on to state schools in his home communities of Thornhill
and Terrace will close at lunch hour on Tuesday, October 13th, and remain closed for the
afternoon to allow students and staff to attend his Celebration of Life.
From here my sorrow flows. I fail to see how closing the doors of 7 schools, and
cancelling the delivery of educational programs to over one thousand students (literally
denying children several thousand hours of teaching time), plus causing their parents
extraordinary expenses in missed work or childcare costs, in any way honors the memory
of a man who was clearly devoted to promoting the educational needs of the children in
our community.

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Katherine McIntosh, Art Erasmus and Member of the Board

There are so many other options available to honor the legacy of a devoted public
servant. This appears to be a serious lapse in judgment by the members of the Board,
and the Superintendant of Schools.
I trust that you will find more appropriate, and honorable, means to respect the
future passing of any members of our public service.
In respectful memory of Gary Turner,

Lisa Hanna
cc: the Terrace Standard

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