Image: Screenshot, SD33 board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 8 / SD33 Board of Education chair Willow Reichelt (left) tells former SD33 trustee Dr. Darrell Furgason to sit down or leave Tuesday's school board meeting. Dr. Carin Bondar, the vice chair, is pictured on the right. The meeting was adjourned for nearly 10 minutes.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack school board

SD33 board chair clashes with former trustee over questions about sexually explicit materials in SD33

Feb 9, 2023 | 10:29 AM

CHILLIWACK — Former school board trustee Dr. Darrell Furgason and current Chilliwack Board of Education chair Willow Reichelt don’t exactly see eye to eye.

Their political and philosophical differences surfaced during a contentious school board meeting on Tuesday, February 7 at the SD33 district office.

Furgason, who served on the school board from 2018-2022 but was not reelected in the October 2022 municipal election, attended Tuesday night’s Chilliwack school board and repeatedly pressed the school district for answers about the legality of sexually explicit materials in SD33.

Image: Supplied by Dr. Furgason / Dr. Darrell Furgason pressed the Chilliwack school board superintendent Tuesday night on the legality of what he says are sexually explicit materials in Chilliwack schools; board chair Willow Reichelt says there are no illegal materials in SD33 schools.

Furgason made his comments during an agenda item about learning resources.

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“It’s good to see you all,” Furgason said at the beginning of his remarks at the podium inside the SD33 board room. “Is the superintendent aware of sexually explicit books in SD33? Do you know their content, and is SD33 within their legal right to provide these materials? My question is a legal question. What legal grounds does SD33 stand on in regard to books with explicit sexual material? This is not about the sexual preferences of any trustee on this board because there seems to be a lot of diversity. So we celebrate diversity. This is not about trustees. This is about legality.”

A point of order was invoked, at which point Reichelt advised Furgason that his remarks did not pertain to the meeting’s agenda.

Furgason quickly countered that his remarks were pertinent to the learning resources policy.

“It is, this is about learning resources,” Furgason said. “Thank you very much. My question is to the superintendent. What legal stance has the superintendent taken in regards to the criminal code? There are strict definitions as to what is considered child pornography.”

At this point, Reichelt turned off Furgason’s mic so his comments could not be heard and broadcast clearly on the recorded video feed of the SD33 board meeting.

“So, I’m turning off your mic, Dr. Furgason,” Reichelt stated. “Yeah, um, we’re not doing this. There’s no illegal material in our schools. That’s highly defamatory. I’m not going to let you. Sorry. Too bad.”

After Furgason sought to rebut, Reichelt responded. “It’s not true, there is no illegal material in our schools. It is not a thing that is happening, so you can have a seat now. Thank you.”

Furgason countered. “I didn’t ask you specifically for a reason because I knew your answer. I’m asking the superintendent. Does the district…”

At this point, Reichelt informed Furgason that she was running the meeting, not Superintendent Rohan Arul-pragasam.

Reichelt said, “The superintendent is not chairing the meeting. This is a meeting of the board and I’ve told you to sit down. Thank you.”

After some additional commotion and inaudible background noise, Reichelt said, “People can either obey the rules of order at this meeting or you’ll be asked to leave.”

Furgason continued speaking at the podium. “What is the legal standing, that’s all I asked, of the superintendent of the school district? Now if you don’t know it, you can’t say we don’t care. Does the superintendent understand the legal standing, that’s all it is, in regard to materials?”

At this point Reichelt directed Furgason to sit down. “None of what you’re saying is on the public record because I have turned off your mic, just so you know. Have a seat, Dr. Furgason! Can you please ask Dr. Furgason to leave if he will not sit down?”

Consequently, Furgason continued speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. “I will not leave and I just want to finish my question.”

Reichelt immediately announced, “This meeting is adjourned temporarily. Thank you.”

Not long after, the video feed broadcasting the school board meeting was interrupted for nine minutes and 22 seconds. After the break, the board resumed the meeting without Furgason speaking.