Vancouver Secondary Teachers Deliver Overwhelming Vote of Non-Confidence in Vancouver School Board’s Superintendent, Secretary-Treasurer over student service cuts, lack of public consultation, more
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday October 13, 2026
VANCOUVER – The union representing Vancouver secondary teachers says its members have voted 98.6% non-confidence in the Vancouver School Board’s Superintendent Helen McGregor and Secretary-Treasurer Flavia Coughlan over student service cuts, lack of public consultation and more.
And the Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association says that the 98.6% vote backing a statement of non-confidence in the VSB’s top two officials came with a massive 80% turnout of its members participating in the vote – 1,131 of a total 1,400 members, adding strong emphasis to the results.
VSTA President Carmen Schaedeli said the overwhelming results reflect a deep and growing loss of trust in Vancouver’s school district leadership and its approach to financial decisions, student supports, school staffing, and public consultation.
“This vote is not simply about one decision or one difficult school year. It is a response to a sustained pattern of decisions that teachers say has put budget outcomes and management priorities ahead of stable classrooms, adequate student supports, and meaningful engagement with the people closest to students,” says Schaedeli.
“This is a decisive call for change from Vancouver’s secondary teachers,” said Schaedeli. “The budget process has failed when students cannot access the classes and supports they need. Decisions need to be transparent, student-centred, and informed by the people who work with students every day.”
“Teachers are demanding accountability, authentic consultation, and a clear commitment to put students first,” Schaedeli added.
The VSTA members expressed serious and wide-ranging concerns with VSB leadership, Schaedeli says, including:
Key Concerns
$15 million surplus while student services are cut
- The district reported an approximately $15 million surplus while schools continued to face staffing shortages, unmet student needs, and reductions in services.
- Teachers see a widening gap between positive financial results and the resources actually reaching classrooms.
Disrupted learning and reduced access to in-person courses
- An unprecedented number of secondary classes were closed or reorganized after the school year began, disrupting established learning environments and forcing timetable changes.
- Significant numbers of students have been unable to access courses in their home schools or complete their timetables.
- Students—including those in Grades 8, 9, and 10—have been pushed toward spare blocks or online learning as in-person classes have become unavailable.
Fewer supports and greater pressure in every classroom
- Larger classes and fewer learning supports make it harder to provide every student with the attention and stability they deserve.
- When educational assistants, learning-support teachers, counsellors, and specialized services are stretched, students with diverse learning needs are affected first and entire classrooms feel the consequences.
Decisions made without meaningful input
- long-standing opportunities for information sharing and authentic input from teachers, families, students, unions, and community partners have been reduced or altered—weakening trust and the quality of decision-making.
A Call for Immediate Change
“With Vancouver’s municipal election on October 17, voters have an opportunity to elect progressive school trustees committed to accountability, authentic consultation, and well-resourced public schools,” says Schaedeli.
Media Contacts:
Carl Janze, Vice-President, Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association, carl@vsta.ca
or Carmen Schaedeli, President, Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association, carmen@vsta.ca
Telephone: 604-873-5570
Website: https://vsta.ca
