SD23 Kevin Kaardal Says Trustees Are Indemnified From Liability

The SD23 Central Okanagan School Board held a Public Board Meeting on Wed Jan 26, 2022. When asked about liability, Superintendent Kevin Kaardal stated that the School Board is indemnified from all liability.

Attendees:
Kevin Kaardal, Superintendent
Moyra Baxter, Chairperson
Chantelle Desrosiers, Trustee and Vice-Chairperson
Norah Bowman, Trustee
Wayne Broughton, Trustee
Julia Fraser, Trustee
Amy Geistlinger, Trustee
Lee-Ann Tiede, Trustee
Terry Beaudry, Deputy Superintendent
Ryan Stierman, Secretary-Treasurer
Susan Bauhart, President (COTA)
Michael Dornian (COPVPA)
Simon Adams (COPAC)
Zach Johnson, SD23 Student Council

Excerpts from meeting:

Kevin Kaardal: Just as long as we are following the provincial health mandates, orders, and processes that have been identified, we are indemnified in regards to liability. It can’t prevent you from being sued but you would be indemnified in that lawsuit.

Lee-Ann Tiede: so my question would be on our insurance. Is our insurance the one that would cover us when we’re being sued, and we get sued multiple times? Will our insurance cover us multiple times?

Kevin Kaardal: Again, we’d be indemnified, is the answer I could give you.

Lee-Ann Tiede: Indemnified indefinitely? That would be something I would like to know before I vote on a mandate like this.

Kevin Kaardal: Well, I can’t give you that specific legal advice. I can tell you that we have advice that we’d be indemnified if we proceeded with the mandate. And we’re indemnified if we don’t and somebody gets sick and claims that they got it because we didn’t do a mandate. So, as long as we are following provincial guidance, either way we have indemnification. Is it unlimited? I’m not certain, I’m not a lawyer.