Chilliwack School District restricts commenting on social media posts

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack School District has now limited the ability of parents, Chilliwack community members and social media users to comment on its social media posts on Facebook or X, formerly known as Twitter.

For example, SD33 posted Wednesday morning, November 29 about its Strategic Plan and the work that school district staff are doing to promote learning and growth.

“We are excited to highlight the work that our staff are engaging in to support learning and growth. These Strat Plan Stories celebrate the daily successes across the district that promote and are aligned with our Strategic Plan,” the post on X/Twitter read. If people wanted to respond with a like or repost, X users can do so, but they cannot comment. Only users specifically mentioned by SD33 can weigh in.

On Facebook, users can only respond with a like or similar emoji and share the post. There’s a disclaimer note at the bottom of a Facebook post that states, “School District No. 33 – Chilliwack limited who can comment on this post.”

The City of Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, Abbotsford School District, Langley School District, and Surrey School District do not limit the ability of people to comment on their Facebook or X accounts.

However, SD78 representing Hope, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs has a similar policy restricting comment on its Facebook posts. So does SD75, Mission Public Schools. Of note, SD75 does not currently maintain a presence on X/Twitter.

The Chilliwack School District is currently being sued by a former SD33 employee who alleges she was not allowed to speak freely at a school board meeting back in June 2023. The Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) announced Wednesday, October 18 that a lawsuit has been filed against the Chilliwack School District after its board chair and vice-chair allegedly censored and ultimately terminated the public remarks of a Chilliwack resident back in June 2023.

JCCF says the lawsuit was filed on October 6, 2023 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, with a court file number of CHI-S-S-40035.

According to the JCCF, Lynda di Armani drew attention to a video that shows the board’s chair, Willow Reichelt, and vice-chair, Carin Bondar, repeatedly interrupting her and muting her microphone as she stood at the podium during a public meeting in June 2023. Armani’s remarks begin at the 24-minute mark of the school board meeting.

Donate to Support Lynda Di Armani's Case Today

by Mike Vanden Bosch, Fraser Valley Today