B.C.'s new education minister will soon determine whether a fired board of education will be replaced using by-elections.

The now-former trustees of the Cowichan Valley school board want early elections so a new board of education can be put in place.

Don McRae was asked if he supports holding by-elections.

"I have a meeting actually set up with Mike McKay the Superintendant of Surrey, who has been appointed the trustee of the Cowichan school board, in the very near future. And I don't want to make any decisions until I have a chance to talk with him and get his analysis of the situation."

McRae says right now the kids in the school district come first.

"My number one priority is obviously the students of the Cowichan Valley. I want to make sure they are getting an education plan that meets their needs and the needs of the community and that is why I really need to talk with Mike McKay in the very near future."
 
McRae says he wants to hear from McKay before making a decision on holding by-elections, or not, to replace the board.

"I always have concerns about politics when it comes to children, and the reality is we have to make sure the kids are getting the best education system available and there are some great teachers in Cowichan and I would love to see them do their job."

The board was fired in July by then-minister George Abbott, after it filed a defecit budget in violation of the law.