Complaints about student behaviour near Grand Forks Secondary School have prompted city council to push for a joint meeting with school and police officials.
City Council sent a letter to School District 51 (SD51) in June expressing concern about student behaviour near the school following community reports of students engaging in unsavoury behaviour.
The letter asked for a plan to address the issue before classes resumed in the fall.
Council recieved a response from SD51 at its Oct. 6 meeting.
The school district said it recognizes the seriousness of the reported behaviour, which included graffiti, smoking, substance use and interactions that “caused residents to feel intimidated.”
However, it noted that these incidents occurred off school property, limiting the school’s authority.
“While we can address behaviours that affect the school community, schools are not granted unlimited authority over student actions in all public spaces outside of instructional hours, and effective responses require collaboration with families, the city and the RCMP,” the letter said.
The district added that school administrators will continue to communicate clear expectations to students about responsible behaviour and respect but said meaningful solutions require collaboration.
“Enforcement of bylaws and laws, as well as supervision in public spaces, fall within the authority of the city and the RCMP. We would therefore welcome the opportunity to meet jointly with the city and the RCMP to clarify roles and responsibilities and to develop coordinated strategies.”
Councillor David Mark disagreed with the district’s response, particularily regarding its inability to enforce school rules during breaks.
“Respectfully, I disagree with the reply. I consider lunchtime breaks and time between classes to still be instructional time and within the purview of the school system,” he said.
Mark also noted that the letter did not say whether students are required to stay on school grounds during breaks.
“I remember that as a consequence that I endured a couple of times myself,” he said.
He proposed a motion to meet with the district superintendent, the school principal, council and the RCMP to develop a joint plan going forward.
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