The province's education minister is extending an investigation into the Vancouver School Board by two weeks "in light of all the changing situations."

Minister Mike Bernier said Thursday that special advisor Peter Milburn, who has spent more than two months conducting interviews and examining the board's books, needs another two weeks on the project amid recent bullying allegations within the VSB.

"It's really important that when I receive this report and when I receive these recommendations, that they're accurate and factual, to the changing dynamics of what's happening in Vancouver for me to be able to make decisions," Bernier said.

The announcement followed a week after allegations emerged of a toxic workplace environment within the board, which has prompted a WorkSafeBC investigation.

The claims were outlined in a letter to the Education Ministry, sent by the B.C. School Superintendents' Association, which said that the situation had become so bad some staff members had been forced to take sick leave.

"The last couple of weeks in Vancouver have been very trying. My thoughts go to many of the senior staff in the Vancouver school district," Bernier said at a news conference.

He said the government is taking the allegations seriously, which is part of why they're taking more time to complete the audit.

"But also over the last couple of weeks there has been a change of direction in the Vancouver School Board around decision-making, when we look at their long-range facilities plan and through the consultation process that they were going through," Bernier said.

In addition to the extension, he said he's also been informed that the deputy minister of education has reached out to WorkSafeBC about the harassment investigation, informing them that Milburn may have more details about the allegations.

Milburn was assigned to examine the VSB's finances when it was the only one of 60 B.C. school boards that was unable to balance its budget.

When asked why he hadn't fired members of the board, a recommendation from some critics, Bernier said he wants to gather all the information before making any decisions.

"We have definitely different situations that are happening right now in Vancouver," he said.

Bernier added that Milburn is evaluating the board's decision-making, "and sometimes lack of decision-making," before bringing forward a long-range plan.

The board was looking at the possibility of closing some of its schools as a way to save money, but the evaluation was suspended when the allegations of bullying came forward.

The board was looking at the possible closure of 11 schools with lower enrolment rates to make up for its unbalanced budget.

Bernier has previously said there are thousands of empty seats in schools across the board, and suggested the VSB reevaluate where it places its students. If students could be moved to other facilities, the board could close those schools with lower capacities to save money.

Despite its financial troubles, Bernier said he wanted to remind parents and students that "we have a great education system, we have great teachers in the classrooms.

"Regardless of all of this unnecessary distraction that they're facing, we know that there's great things happening in the classroom and we want to see that continue."