Abbotsford CPA who campaigned on anti-bullying platform elected to school board

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“One of my beautiful daughters was the victim of such severe bullying last year. The school was aware of it,” Nyvall said. “The incidents were not isolated. Other children have been victims. It culminated in a threat to her life and a threat of assault in the most devastating sexual way. I am glad that we caught this, glad that my daughter is alive and glad that she is now thriving at a different school. I am appreciative of the efforts of the Abbotsford Police to work the file and do what they can.”

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Fraser Valley Today asked the Abbotsford School District for comment about the bullying incident as reported by Nyvall.

Kristi Ferguson, senior manager of communications and community relations for the Abbotsford School District, said she could not comment on Nyvall’s specific situation.

“Due to our obligations to protect student privacy, the Abbotsford School District cannot disclose or discuss information related to a specific student or incident,” Ferguson said via email on Sept 10. “This includes confirming, denying or correcting statements made publicly about individual circumstances. Our inability to respond to specific claims, including those made on social media, should not be interpreted as confirmation that any particular account is accurate or complete, or that events have been characterized appropriately.”

Ferguson outlined the district’s response to student misconduct and bullying, and said SD34 schools have clear codes of conduct.

“Incidents involving student safety, bullying or misconduct, and any form of assault are dealt with immediately and in ways that are consistent with our established procedures and the values of BC’s public school system,” Ferguson said. “Where risks relating to the conduct of anyone, including students, are present, we have processes that are followed to assess those risks and provide age-appropriate responses that take into account the seriousness of the conduct, the available evidence of what occurred, and the particular circumstances of the parties involved. These processes include our Assessment of Risk to Others procedure (“ARTO”, previously referred to as a “VTRA”) which can involve school, district and external agencies to ensure appropriate plans are in place.  We are committed to meeting our legal obligations to provide an inclusive, in-class learning environments for all students, with any exceptions considered only in very rare circumstances. We value all our students and ensuring our schools are safe for them is of the utmost importance to every one of our staff. Our schools have clear codes of conduct, progressive discipline practices, and processes to address student conduct if discipline is not the appropriate response.  We continually work with students to teach and reinforce expectations for behaviour.”

For his part, Nyvall said he will work to fulfil promises he made to stand up for students in SD34 now that he’s been elected.

“I have made bold promises to stand up for the victimized and the bullied students. On that item is where I will judge myself a success or a failure over the 4-year term,” Nyvall said. “I feel great moving forward with this topic with the new Trustee Board and the SD34 executives. I will work to make it a nonpartisan item so that we can build towards a 7-0 vote on an anti-bullying agenda. I do not take the task before me lightly and I am looking forward to it. There are some newly elected members of the Trustee Board which I’ve never met. Ever. I’m reaching out to introduce myself and it may take time to build relationships and establish priorities for an almost entirely new board. You put your faith in me, Abbotsford. I do not take it lightly. All 9,039 of you. Thank you.”