St. Christopher's Montessori School-Oak Bay, Victoria, BC

I feel compelled to share my family's distressing experience with St. Christopher's Montessori School. On January 10, 2025, my child's enrollment was abruptly terminated without due process or proper justification. This decision by the principal and current board appears to be retaliatory in nature and raises serious concerns about administrative oversight. If not properly addressed, similar situations could affect other families who voice concerns to the board. As former board members (2023/2024), my wife and I are well-versed in school policies. Upon receiving an allegation of violating the Photography Policy (Page 13, Parent Handbook) from the principal on November 29, 2024, I requested specific details about the alleged violation through multiple emails, also copying the board on subsequent communications. Despite multiple follow-up attempts on December 4, 2024 and January 9, 2025, we received no clarification or any evidence of the alleged violation. Instead, the only response was a termination letter from the principal the day after my latest inquiry to the board. The Parent Handbook also outlines an Appeals Policy (Page 18), stating, "If a concern is in regard to the Principal, the matter should be presented in writing to the Board. The Board will contact all parties involved and after careful consideration, will resolve the matter." To date, I have not received any response from the board concerning this matter. Their failure to follow the Appeals Policy procedures represents a serious breach of their duties and responsibilities. As a consequence, an innocent child has been displaced from the educational environment without proper cause or process. I urge society members to consider electing a new board soon to prevent similar incidents in the near future. This is in the best interest of the society. During my tenure as board secretary (2023/2024), I compiled comprehensive documentation regarding various concerns within the school community. My repeated offers to officially transfer these documents to ensure board continuity have been ignored, despite the board chair's verbal promise to "get back to me" on November 21, 2024. This commitment remains unfulfilled today. It is imperative that the society elect a new board to ensure these confidential board documents can be properly investigated and addressed. I am sharing this experience to promote transparency and help other families make informed decisions about their children's education. All relevant correspondence has been preserved for documentation, verification and legal purposes.