B.C. government fires North Okanagan-Shuswap school board

Members of the North Okanagan-Shuswap school board have been fired by the British Columbia government over financial troubles and a loss of public confidence.

The board has been replaced by a single official trustee, former Surrey school district superintendentMike McKay.

The dismissal comes with the release of a special advisory report saying the board transferred $10 million from its operating surplus funds to pay for projects such as the construction of a new school district office.

The report noted three of the nine trustees had already handed in their notices of resignation and that board meetings had degenerated to the point where there was little decorum hampering business.

It alsosaidthe board lacked the skills for operational oversight.There was no financial expertise, trust among trustees was lacking, as was the perceived transparency.

Education Minister Mike Bernier says the government took the unusual step of dismissing the boardso the public could have faith in the administration of education in the community.