The Yukon Party is raising concerns about what it calls a series of serious behavioural incidents at Jack Hulland Elementary School in Porter Creek.

Scott Kent, the party’s education critic, brought up the matter twice during question periods last week in the legislature.

Last Tuesday, Kent said, “We have heard from several families who are concerned about serious incidents affecting safety of students and staff that have been occurring at Jack Hulland Elementary School.

“These incidents include violence toward students and staff, bullying, and acts of vandalism. The Jack Hulland Elementary School Council has been pulling for these issues to be addressed by the Liberal government for over a year now.

“Can the minister tell us what measures she is taking to address these issues and what she is doing to ensure the safety of students and staff at Jack Hulland Elementary School?”

Education Minister Jeanie McLean responded to Kent’s question with “I have personally met with the Jack Hulland Elementary School Council. That particular school council meeting included parents and staff.

“This meeting happened with me on Oct. 6, I believe. At that meeting, I brought back a few things to the school council and to the folks who normally and regularly attend these meetings.

“One of them was a new communication protocol in terms of how matters are communicated to parents and the school community.

“The other was a Grove Street handbook, which was a commitment from a previous meeting to review the handbook with the school council, school administration, and Student Support Services,” McLean added.

“This was completed in September. Also, there is to be a facilitated meeting with the staff, which I am attending later this week.”

Kent noted the Grove Street school is part of the Jack Hulland facility.

“So, I would like to know if the minister has begun a formal review of the Grove Street program to ensure that it is meeting its intended purpose, and as part of that review, is the minister considering moving the Grove Street program out of Jack Hulland to help address the impacts of these incidents on students and staff?”

McLean said, “The Grove Street school program at Jack Hulland Elementary School is designed to serve some of Yukon’s most vulnerable students, who have not been able to consistently demonstrate success in a regular classroom.

“This program has a very low staff/student ratio so that students can receive the intensive supports that they need — an almost one-to-one staff/student ratio this year,” the minister added.

“With careful planning and a trauma-informed approach, we are able to focus on helping students to manage their behaviours in order to then allow them to focus on their academic success.

“The program has been located in Jack Hulland Elementary School since 2011, with significant supports from the Student Support Services branch, which is available to support teachers and staff at Jack Hulland Elementary School.”

McLean added, “Are there issues? Yes, there are issues. I have just spoken to that and we are working to address the concerns.”

Last Wednesday, Kent again questioned McLean on the issue.

“Yesterday, the minister mentioned the Grove Street handbook,” Kent said.

“She said it — and I quote: “… was a commitment from a previous meeting to review the handbook with the school council, school administration, and Student Support Services.

“My question is: Where can Jack Hulland staff and families find a copy of the reviewed handbook that was completed in September?”

McLean said, “My understanding is that it can be found on a website of the school. I will check that information, though, and ensure that this is accurate.”

Kent replied he had checked the school website that morning, and couldn’t find the reviewed handbook, “so I am glad that the minister is going to look into that. If it’s on there somewhere, she can direct us to it.”

McLean said she would inquire further about the situation.