No dissension at school board, says chair

There is no dissension amongst trustees at P.E.I.'s Eastern School District, just differing opinions says board chair Bob Clow.

Clow was responding to accusations of bullying and steamrollering from the president of the P.E.I. Home and School Association, who used those words to describe a meeting of the school board he attended last week. Clow told CBC News Tuesday all trustees are continuing to work with the best interests of students in mind.

"We always have some people who may not think the same, but I think at the end of the day all trustees are moving towards the same focus," said Clow.

Clow said he did not believe the characterization of last week's meeting was fair, and that it was likely a misunderstanding of how the board needs to operate. He was referring to the board now having a lawyer at meetings to help with rulings on procedure.

"People who are on the outside may not understand the rules and why things are done that way," he said.

"People have to understand why we have to follow Robert's Rules. When you're in smaller groups you may do things a little differently."

Signs of a split on the board between male and female trustees first began to appear during debates about the closure of schools in early 2009. Education Minister Doug Currie said if necessary he'll consider legislative changes to give him the power to deal with the problems at the school board.

Clow said he doesn't think that will be necessary.