The Hidden Valley Elementary School Council is at odds with Education Minister Jeanie McLean.

The Star has obtained copies of some correspondence between the two parties that document the boiling frustration.

In a letter to McLean, the school council takes her to task.

“Thank you for your letter. We are disappointed with the response and the lack of support that has been offered to our school,” the letter says.

“It is disheartening that you have recanted your commitment to attend our June 1 meeting where the priority is to collaborate on a path forward to ensure the needs of our school are met, and the supports are in place to ensure healing and rebuilding of our school community is accomplished,” the council writes.

“You have repeatedly voiced your commitment to provide support to our school and stated you would work with the school council to ensure that this took place, to date this has been non-existent.”

The school council continued to outline its concerns in the letter.

“Your letter indicates that a position for a part-time VP has been filled; this is inaccurate, as the interviews have yet to take place.

“Our school has been obligated to fill this position internally, utilizing the already-stretched resources available. Any support that has been offered to our school community through the school has been a direct result of the dedicated and talented front line staff, taking on more responsibility than should be reasonably expected.”

The letter to McLean says, “It is clear there are systemic issues that negatively impact all Yukon schools and a lack of action to address these concerns; including but not limited to resources, trained professionals, and support.

“The staffing turnover speaks volumes in regards to these systemic issues, and until these are addressed, no meaningful change will take place.”

The council reminds McLean that “no volunteer-based school council should be required to spend their valuable time and energy holding government officials to their commitment.

“Though it may not be your fault that our school community has been faced with the devastating trauma that has occurred, you assumed responsibility for the path forward when you stepped into the role of minister of Education,” the council tells the minister.

McLean assumed the role in the spring of 2021.

In a letter to the council that preceded its response, McLean writes, “Thank you for the invitation to attend your June 1st council meeting.

“I will not be attending this meeting as matters of school staffing are operational in nature and there are processes in place to resolve these issues with the appropriate officials.”

McLean advises the council members, “Our human resources staff and superintendents are working within the collective agreement and with the Yukon Association of Education Professionals to address staffing matters within Yukon schools, while trying to meet the individual needs of each school community.

“A school staffing oversight committee reviews and decides on all school staffing requests for additional educational staff above our service levels outlined in the Staffing Allocation Handbook.

“I encourage the Hidden Valley school council and your school principal to continue to work with your superintendent and the ADM of School and Student Services to resolve these matters.”

McLean adds, “The 2021-22 school year has been a challenging year for most Yukon schools.

“I do recognize, however, the burden that the Hidden Valley Elementary School community has borne due to the actions of William Auclair-Bellemare and the government’s admitted failure to adequately notify parents and guardians of other potential victims.

“The Department of Education has been working with our partner departments to ensure that the appropriate supports are available to those who require them – for students, families, and staff.

“We have and continue to provide options to families along with contacts of professionals who can assist in navigating those options to help identify and access the right supports.”

McLean writes that she would “establish the Hidden Valley parent committee to help, along with the school council, to advise the Department of Education on what is happening for families staff and students as the school comes to end and what is anticipated for the coming school year.”

A cabinet spokesperson pointed out to the Star that officials from the Department of Education attended Wednesday evening’s school council meeting.

“We remain committed to working together to ensure all school environments are safe, caring and supportive of students and families at school,” the spokesperson said.

Auclair-Bellemare, 35, a former educational assistant at the school, served a jail term for sexual interference involving a child at Hidden Valley.

The youngster’s parents have launched a civil lawsuit against him and the government.

In September 2021, the Yukon RCMP Specialized Response Unit again arrested him.

He stands charged with offences related to alleged incidents involving two children occurring between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2018.

Through his lawyer, he pleaded not guilty on May 18.

The official Opposition, meanwhile, is unimpressed with McLean’s work on the file.

The Yukon Party said today it’s “demanding immediate action to address the alarming issues raised by the Hidden Valley School Council.

“In an open letter, the council has revealed that the Liberal government has repeatedly failed to deliver the critical supports that it has requested during the 2021-2022 school year,” the party said in a statement.

McLean’s commitments to the school council over the past year “ring hollow following the confirmation in the council’s letter that the minister of Education and the Liberal government have failed to deliver what they promised,” the Yukon Party said.

This lack of support for the Hidden Valley school community continues an appalling trend with this Liberal government.

“Since the scandal broke, the premier, deputy premier and minister of Education have avoided accountability, and have brushed off numerous requests from parents, and the school itself.

“Now, with the school council repeating requests for crucial supports including a full-time vice-principal, and clinical counsellors, we urge the premier and minister of Education to stop making excuses, listen to the school community and fulfill their ministerial duties to act where it is most urgently needed.”