School District 43 has hired a communications consultant to monitor the trial of Coquitlam substitute teacher Aleksandr Plehanov.
SD43 spokesperson Cheryl Quinton confirmed that Vancouver-based Peak Communications is providing information about the trial to the district senior leadership team and the board of education but will not be speaking to the public.
"They're acting in a consultant's role," Quinton said, and may offer advice about communications involved in the case.
It's not known how much the district will pay for the services until payment is required at the conclusion of the trial, but Quinton said it's not unusual for the district to hire communications consultants.
"I am the sole communications person in a very large school district, and it is important for the district to know what is being said in court."
The trial, which began Tuesday, is expected to last two weeks.
Plehanov is facing charges of sexual interference and sexual assault involving five students who were aged seven and eight at the time of the alleged incidents in 2010. He is also charged with criminal harassment in connection with actions that took place in June 2010 for total of 11 charges.
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com
