Some parents furious after Maple Ridge PAC agrees to give money to president for undisclosed legal fees

Some parents of a local school in Maple Ridge are angry after a move by their local parent advisory council.

The Yennadon Elementary School PAC agreed to provide the group’s president $10,000 to cover legal fees, however, the reason for the funds has not been disclosed.

Parents at the school have taken to social media to question the decision, as the neither school board nor PAC will confirm the funding move.

One woman who shares that she has been a PAC chair herself states, “I could never fathom asking parents to pay legal fees. It’s not a good use of PAC funds and unless it benefits a school-wide focus this should have been an automatic no from the voting parents.”

Other parents are calling for an audit of the PAC.

“Personally as a parent of past Yennadon students and a PAC member I feel that there should have been a vote on this with all parents and PAC members and not done privately,” one parent shared.

Meanwhile, another says it’s “inappropriate and unethical to allocate PAC funds to legal fees by the allegedly inappropriate actions of one member. The funds are for the students. No students benefit from this.”

A person who says they’re a vice president at a different PAC in the school district states that “we would never in a million years do what this president has done or used the funds raised FOR THE STUDENTS AND SCHOOL on personal needs. Which is what it is. And honestly, if I ever had the audacity to do so I would hope my entire executive would vote no.”

Others are defending the move by the PAC, saying those who have stepped up to help the school and students should be given a break for their dedication and volunteer work.

“None of them get paid for the time and effort they pour into these initiatives. If someone were to sue you as a PAC member for performing your volunteer duties, would you think it’s fair for you to cover those costs personally? Of course not!” one person stated. “The legal retainer, as mentioned in the letter, is simply precautionary. It sounds like the matter will be resolved quickly and won’t even require the full amount.”

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