Board Decides to Gather Feedback

Public consultation on the Educational Outreach Program, good news about graduation completion rates, and trends on what youth are saying about mental health in the McCreary Report, were just some of the items under discussion at the School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) Board of Education meeting on Tuesday at the District Education Support Centre (DESC).

Education Outreach Program (EOP)
The Board passed a motion to move forward with initiating public consultation to hear from students and parents about whether SD83’s Education Outreach Program should be closed.

New provincial policy on online/distance learning and the move to a provincial model has now limited all other school districts to just offering distance education programs to students within the district’s boundaries. At the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Secretary Treasurer Dale Culler and Superintendent Donna Kriger explained that the new policy came into effect in July 1, 2023. Previously any student in the province could take a course from SD83’s Educational Outreach Program. This generated revenue for the program. Culler explained there was increased enrolment in the program during COVID but it is now dwindling down. He said they analyzed the program and the resources going into the program, saying enrolment has been reduced to the point where a discussion about closure is warranted. It was noted that the 70 “primary active” students actually equals less than 16 full time equivalent (see data in links below).

The Board has the authority to close or consolidate a school for reasons, which includes:

• The school is unable to offer an adequate and viable educational program
• Declining enrolment
• The school is no longer economically or operationally viable
• The restructuring of educational programs, consolidation of operations and relocation of students to other schools in the District which results in the school being deemed surplus to the District’s educational needs
• The school is being replaced by other factors

Trustees raised concerns about where students relying on EOP would get their courses, with Kriger responding they would have access through one of the Ministry’s Provincial Online Learning Schools (POLS). There were also questions about the profile of the students who access EOP, whether having teachers who were from other districts would negatively impact SD83 students.

Trustees decided to move ahead with public consultation in the new year in order to get feedback from the public on the program. After that, the Board will decide whether to move ahead or not. Information about enrolment, the financial analysis, online learning policy, and more was also shared and can be read below.
EDUCATION OUTREACH ENROLMENT DATA
EDUCATION OUTREACH FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
ONLINE LEARNING POLICY – PROVINCE OF BC, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE
MINISTERIAL ORDER – SCHOOL OPENING AND CLOSURE ORDER
REGULATION 3060.01R – SIGNIFICANT REORGANIZATION OR PERMANENT SCHOOL CLOSURES

Superintendent’s Report
Kriger began her report with information from the pillars of the strategic plan – intellectual development, human and social development, organizational development, and effective governance and leadership.
Intellectual Development – Five and Six–Year Completion Rates Improving
There was some good news about completion rate trends!
Recently received data from the Ministry of Education show SD83’s five and six-year graduation completion rates are steadily climbing. Although provincial data is not yet available, the five-year district data shows SD83’s highest completion rate in the six-year period shown at 85.7 percent. “It has been steadily climbing and it would be remiss of me not to mention all of the work done to accomplish that.”
She added the six-year completion rate is starting to approach the 90 percent mark and was at 89.4% for the previous year. She thanked principals, teachers, and support staff for all of their work, for getting to know the students, know the barriers that students are facing, and try and help remove those barriers so students can successfully graduate.
She added looking at the five-year completion rate for all Indigenous students, this year marks the first time SD83 has crossed the threshold of 80 percent completion rate for on and off reserve students combined. She said there is a similar trend in the six-year completion rates with less than three percent difference from all students. “I’m incredibly proud of the work that has been done! What a celebration for our District.”
Later in her report she also noted that those graduating with a Dogwood, rather than the less rigorous Adult Dogwood, has risen seven percent from the previous year. The data for students with diverse needs shows the five-year completion rate is up almost four percent from the previous year and about 18 percent higher than six years ago. She also noted there was a 53 percent increase in the number of students with diverse needs graduating with a regular Dogwood, which opens up more doors and gives students more opportunities than an Adult Dogwood. “I believe we are pointed in the right direction. Every learning resource teacher, every CEA, every teacher along the way, and every principal has invested in these kids. Their labour of love has come to fruition.”
Our preference is that all students graduate with regular Dogwoods, Kriger stated.

Human and Social Development – McCreary Report
The District also recently received the McCreary Report, which conducts the The BC Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS), a province-wide survey administered to youth in Grade 7 to 12 since 1992. The survey gives an evidence base of youth health trends, emerging issues, and risk and protective factors for healthy development. The information from this survey was gathered between January and May of 2023.
The survey covers topics such as school, relationships, physical and mental health, substance use, sexual activity, and leisure activities and Kriger noted the report is showing some concerning trends. She said over the past five years, since the last survey was administered, students are reporting lower levels of mental health and lower levels of overall health. There is an increase in the numbers of students who are coming to school in the morning and hadn’t eaten breakfast.
Also approximately 15 percent of the students reported housing insecurities, with two percent of them having moved three or more times in the 12 months previous to the survey.
As far as feeling safe at school, changerooms and washrooms continue to rank as the place where students do not feel safe in schools. “This is a message we continue to hear,” Kriger told trustees. “Washrooms and changerooms are places where our kids are at times feeling the most unsafe.” She said one of the ways this is being addressed not only across the province but nationally the move is towards single room, gender neutral washrooms.
In the health section Kriger shared out two other pieces of data – more sleep interruptions and vaping. The survey shows youth are reporting a lot of cell phone usage when they should be sleeping. This includes texting, chatting on social media, watching videos and other interruptions to their sleep.
Kriger noted to trustees that school leaders are struggling with vaping in schools, and that middle and early secondary are where kids start to vape. She added that what is alarming to her is that of the students are vaping, just under 30 percent report they are vaping cannabis.

Organizational Development – Administrative Procedures
Kriger reported to the Board that administrative procedures development regarding student suspension, discipline, and restorative practice as well as accident procedures are currently being developed.

Effective Governance and Leadership – Reconfiguration
The leadership team has held two initial discussions about configuration in the Salmon Arm area. There were a lot of questions and lots of really great discussion about trying to think ahead to what the community is needing and what configuration could look like, Kriger told trustees. She added what kept coming to the forefront is the idea of programming and what that might look like. “This is an excellent opportunity for us to get creative and see what we can do, the catalyst being the configuration discussion.”
She noted during the strategic planning consultation there was a lot of conversation about how we can do things differently. “I don’t want to leave the perception that our teachers or schools are failing, they are not. School staffs are working harder than ever. The profile of a student has changed but our schools have not.” She suggested this is the opportunity to bring this into alignment.
She added senior leadership is also working to update the Board on facility implications, costs involved, programming possibilities, boundary implications, and consultation process.

New Provincial Legislation
New provincial legislation which impacts Indigenous students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 is coming into effect and will be part of the School Act. These include School of Choice (First Nations can designate a school their students will attend), a mandatory Local Education Agreement (LEA), and districts who do not have Indigenous Education Councils will be required to establish one. “It is a great sign for SD83 because a lot of those changes are already happening here.”

SD83 Values – Belonging/Respect
Kriger said there has been a request for a session for parents and caregivers related to SOGI 123. Director of Instruction Gillian Dawe-Taylor is working with DPAC to gather questions. Her and SD83’s Sexual Orientation Gender Identity (SOGI) District Lead Amy Witt are putting together information, and the plan is this session will be recorded and uploaded to the school district’s website in February.

SD83 Value – Reconciliation
Kriger highlighted that Grade 12 student Elail Celesta was the language BINGO host at the Knowledge Keepers Tea at the DESC, which she called in Secwépemctsín (Secwépemc language). Elail has been learning Secwépemctsín from her grandmother, who is a fluent speaker. “It was absolutely spectacular. A bucket filling day!”
Also, she brought the Board’s attention to some amazing work done by Tina Lepine, the Indigenous Education Resource Teacher, who created a blanket for the blanket exercise that is truly connected to this region. “Director Prince will be bringing this to the next Leadership Team meeting.”
READ COMPLETE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT AND GRAPHS HERE

Gratitude and Celebrations
Kriger recognized Mishel Quaal, who was the District Principal of Indigenous Education, but has now been assigned as Jackson’s vice principal. She added that at a recent meeting of the Indigenous Education team, Mishel was celebrated. “She is the kindest, most compassionate woman you’ll meet. She is absolutely passionate about improving outcomes for Indigenous students.
She also congratulated Bastion, Hillcrest, and North Shuswap students and staff that put together the wonderful entry to the CBC Music Class Challenge, Turning the Tide Together.
She also remarked on the new lunch club at Eagle River Secondary where once a week students can come to the Foods Room and two staff members will help them cook a hot lunch, and mentioned a recent field trip to Thompson Rivers University where senior students had the opportunity to learn about careers in nursing and respiratory therapy.

Kindergarten Registration
In her report, Kriger also reminded trustees that registration for September 2024 Kindergarten, Early French Immersion, and Kindergarten at the Outdoor Learning Program at South Canoe will take place on January 17. She also mentioned any parents interested in registering their child for Early French Immersion are invited to an information session on January 9 from 5 – 6 p.m. at Bastion Elementary.

Statement of Financial Information
Each year school boards in B.C., in accordance with the Financial Information Act, are required to prepare and share publicly a Statement of Financial Information for the year ended June 30, 2023. The report consists of the schedule of remuneration and expenses (for all payments made to trustees and those employees with remuneration exceeding $75,000) and a schedule of suppliers of goods and services (payments made to suppliers in excess of $25,000).
An official signed copy of this report will soon be sent to the Ministry and posted on the SD83 website.
Chair Amanda Krebs thanked the finance team for all its work on this report.
READ SOFI REPORT HERE

Trustee Remuneration
The Board passed a motion to align the trustee travel stipend for the three rural trustee areas (2,3, and 4). Currently the Armstrong-Falkland-Silver Creek-Ranchero area and the Enderby-Sicamous area are set at $500 with the Sorrento-South and North Shuswap area at $250. These will all be set at $500.
After this motion passed, Krebs suggested, and trustees agreed, at the same time as making this change, the policy be sent to the policy committee to have some old language cleaned up and updated.

Golds off to Calgary
The Board approved in principle that the Salmon Arm Secondary Golds basketball team be able to travel to Calgary in February to take part in the St. Mary’s Secondary Basketball Tournament from February 1-3, 2024. Twelve students and three coaches will be travelling to the tourney.

Policy Updated
The Board gave first reading to Policy 121 – Sexual Orientation Gender Identity. This policy was originally adopted in June 2015, amended in May 2020, and in October 2023, given the renewed public interest in SOGI, the Board of Education directed to the Superintendent to bring Policy 121 back to the Policy Committee for review. The Committee spent significant time during the November and December meetings to review and revise the policy. The amendments were presented and approved by the Board for first reading at the meeting. This policy now goes out for feedback.
READY POLICY 121 HERE

Education Directions
Committee Chair Marianne VanBuskirk reports the next meeting will be Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.

Finance & Facilities/Audit
Committee Chair Amanda Krebs reported at the Finance & Facilities/Audit Committee on Dec. 5. The SOFI report was discussed along with the October operating fund financials and an update from facilities.

Partner Group
Vice Chair Corryn Grayston reported on the Partner Group meeting on Nov. 29. This is the first time that partner group met in some time. “We had a good group with representatives from the North Okanagan Shuswap Teachers’ Association (NOSTA), CUPE, and the District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC), as well as Superintendent Kriger, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Guillou, and Director of Instruction Jen Findlay.” She said they spent time going through the terms of reference, as well as discussing teacher recruitment and retention, the working group that will be created around configuration, French Imemrsion, and the SOGI parent session. She asked the group whether there was interest to continue partner group and it was unanimous that it should. This group will meet three times a year, with the next meeting probably in February; however, this will be finalized.

Policy Committee
Committee Chair Brent Gennings reported on the policy commitee meeting held in early December. The committee spent time at two committee meetings reviewing and updating Policy 121 – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, which was given first reading at the meeting.

B.C. School Trustees’ Association (BCSTA)
Trustee Tennile Lachmuth reported Vernon will be hosting the Spring branch meeting.

B.C. Public Sector Employers’ Association
Trustee Brent Gennings reported the BCPSEA annual general meeting will be on Jan 25.

Quelmúcw Education Council Update
Trustee Tennile Lachmuth reported the Adams Lake Band hosted the council meeting and it was lovely to meet there. “Much of what we met on reported in the Superintendent’s report.” She added they talked about the strategic plan and Director of Instruction Chelsea Prince reported on a project by Tina Lepine. She brought forward a request from the QEC regarding the Indigenous day of learning in January that the Board formally invite representatives from local governments and members of parliament to attend.

Trustee Reports
Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk reported on the holiday lunch she attended at Storefront School as well as on the International students in SD83 getting tennis lessons from Coach Bill Spencer and VanBuskirk at the Salmon Arm Tennis Club on Nov. 24. “It was a fantastic day.”
She reported she attended the Bastion and Hillcrest PAC meetings and concerts and helped out at the scholastic book fairs. She added both teacher-librarians mentioned there has been a drop off in interest of the book fairs and that this actually occurring province wide. She also mentioned that the Hillcrest concert had to do a huge pivot as it was to be outside but had to move indoors. “Accolades to the Operations Department and to Zach Power and Hannah Carriere the concert went off without a hitch.”
VanBuskirk reported that she attended the recent Golds and Jewels basketball tourney where there was a display of great athleticism and sportsmanship from both athletes and spectators. VanBuskirk also mentioned she attended the Indigenous Education luncheon where Mishel Quaal was honoured.
Grayston reported she attended the Shuswap Economic Development Committee meeting where one of the topics which came up as part of an attraction strategy was a high school in South Shuswap. They also talked about excessive bus transportation times as a deterrent. “I think we are going to see more communication.”
Krebs reported she has a meeting with the BCSTA on Jan. 9 to see how they can help us in the district. “If there is anything we’d like to pass on to them please let me know by Jan. 8.” She said there is also a call with all the Board Chairs in January.

Question Period
A parent from South Canoe had questions about the washroom renovations at South Canoe School. She brought a list of some concerns. Superintendent Donna Kriger noted that Director of Operations Travis Elwood wasn’t in attendance at the meeting but she was aware of the project. “The washrooms at South Canoe certainly need to be upgraded.” She added the single room gender neutral washrooms are the direction the district is moving to. She said she is happy to talk to parents about their concerns and Board Chair Krebs also noted that she is happy to attend a PAC meeting and discuss their concerns.