The Public Schools Branch Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting at Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside on May 14, 2026, to review a draft policy on sexual misconduct. The meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m., marks a significant step in how island schools will handle the prevention and reporting of such incidents in the future.
The development of this policy follows a legal case from April 2025, when a former substitute teacher pleaded guilty to sexually touching students at two primary schools. The incidents, which had been reported to school administrators previously but were not identified as sexual in nature, prompted widespread public concern and calls for systemic changes in how schools respond to student safety.
In response, the provincial legislature passed amendments to the Education Act in May 2025, requiring all school authorities to implement clear procedures and support systems for students. Following these changes, an independent review led by former chief justice David H. Jenkins was released in February 2026. While the review found that island schools are generally safe, it identified critical gaps, including a need for better tracking systems and more robust support for human resources departments to handle complaints.
The draft policy being reviewed at the meeting was first released for public input in January 2026. The Public Schools Branch gathered feedback from the community through surveys, phone calls, and engagement sessions. Residents interested in the outcome of this policy can attend the meeting at the school on Kenmoore Avenue in person or join through a virtual connection.
The board includes 11 trustees responsible for governing these changes, including Emily McKeown, who serves as the elected trustee for the Three Oaks family of schools.
