Board of Education Meeting Update
The Enhancing Student Learning Report, a clean audit, a name change, and a minor capital plan were all on the agenda at the SD83 Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the District Education Support Centre (DESC).
Enhancing Student Learning Report
The Enhancing Student Learning Report, which is an analysis of how the District is doing in key strategic areas as well as its plan for improving equity of learning outcomes and enhancing the intellectual, social and career development of all students, was approved by the Board.
Superintendent Donna Kriger expressed pride in the report and mentioned the extensive work by the Senior Leadership Team. She noted, “It is authentic, and the commentary is candid, showing both areas that need improvement as well as areas of celebration for the good work taking place.”
View the Enhancing Student Learning Report 2023-2024 here .
Trustees had thoroughly reviewed the report during a Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2024. During that session, Superintendent Kriger, along with Secretary Treasurer Culler and the Directors of Instruction, walked the trustees through the detailed information and data.
Some of the highlights included:
– improvement in outcomes for Indigenous students in SD83, where they are outperforming provincial peers;
– significant progress in literacy, supported by teachers in all 17 elementary schools, enhancing both teacher capacity and overall team collaboration;
– strong community partnerships, particularly in early learning and career education; and
– the broad range of dual credit programs, both academic and trades-related, offered in SD83.
Areas needing attention are in the area of numeracy where there is a decline both locally and provincially, student absences and how it affects student outcomes, how to better support diverse learners, and funding necessary resources. It was also noted that Indigenous students and gender diverse students are still experiencing homophobic and racist comments. “We want to ensure that schools are a safe place for all kids,” stated Kriger.
To view the discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting, click here.
The approved report was submitted to the Ministry of Education and Child Care for review. Trustees thanked the Senior Leadership Team for their hard work in preparing the comprehensive report.
New District Name
At the May 2024 Regular Board Meeting, Darrell Jones, Chair of the Quelmúcw Education Council, presented a briefing note requesting that the name of the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District be changed to a Sewépemctsin word or phrase. The Board unanimously supported the recommendation and asked the Quelmúcw Education Council to consult with their communities, Sewépemctsin language speakers, and Knowledge Keepers.
In a heartfelt presentation, Darrell Jones, on behalf of the Quelmúcw Education Council, gifted a new name to the Board. Elder Lucy Williams, who joined Jones at the podium to say the name, as well as several other members of the Council attended the meeting.
“K̓wsaltktnéws”, initially proposed by Splatsin language speaker Donna Antoine, is in the Splatsin Secwépemctsín dialect. The rest of the phrase, “ne Secwepemcúl’ecw” is in the Secwépemctsín Eastern dialect. “K̓wsaltktnéws” means that “we are all connected”, while “ne Secwepemcúl’ecw” is “on Secwepemc land”. It is pronounced K̓wsaltktnéws (KWA-SEELT-K-NAWS) ne Secwepemcúl’ecw (NAY SUH-KWEP-MUK-OO-LOO).
Financial Statement Discussion & Analysis
Secretary Treasurer Dale Culler and Director of Finance Jeremy Hunt presented a Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis report to trustees to provide more explanation of the District’s financial statements.
To read the 2023-2024 Financial Statement Discussion & Analysis, click here.
Hunt commented that 90 percent of the District’s operating budget is spent on staffing and with the increases to labour and benefit costs, coupled with increased replacement costs due to absenteeism, the District has been “pretty pinched” for funding. “Although our funding is coming directly from Ministry, we don’t feel we are getting the required funds to keep up with staffing and benefit costs.”
He added staffing replacement costs were substantially higher than budgeted and it put the district in a tough situation. Other school districts also reported having a similar issue. To help mitigate the shortfall and have a balanced budget at the end of June, discussions were held to see where reductions could be made. Also, some equipment purchases and replacements were postponed.
2023/24 Audited Financial Statements
The District’s auditors, KPMG, LLP, issued an unqualified audit opinion on the District’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, confirming that the statements are fairly and accurately presented and comply with generally accepted accounting standards applicable to school districts in B.C. The auditors attended the meeting to present, and following a presentation by Culler and Hunt, the Board passed a motion approving the Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
The approved Financial Statements are submitted to the Ministry and posted on the District’s website to ensure that they are accessible to the public.
The Board also passed a motion approving an additional transfer from the Operating fund in the amount of $489,500 to the Local Capital reserve for vehicle replacement, photocopiers, district rebranding, and information technology.
Following this, the Board passed a motion approving the allocation of operating surplus to the programs and projects included in Note 18 – Accumulated Surplus, of the financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Salmon Arm – Inashiki Twinning
A decision on whether to continue the Salmon Arm – Inashiki Twinning has been postponed until after a discussion with the City of Salmon Arm can take place to determine what supports the City will provide to the program.
Trail Update
The Board approved the statutory right of way plan for the first phase of trail alignment near J.L. Jackson connecting the under-highway tunnel to the existing trail at McGuire Lake Park.
Last year, the City of Salmon Arm and the Shuswap Trail Alliance made a presentation to the Board proposing to formalize existing urban connector trails on District property with greenway trails maintained by the City and the Shuswap Trail Alliance. At the Regular Board meeting held on October 17, 2023, the Board authorized Administration to negotiate the Easement in co-operation with the City of Salmon Arm to help facilitate the construction of the first phase of the proposed trail development at Jackson Campus. The first phase is a small project connecting the under-highway tunnel to the existing trail at McGuire Lake Park. Over the past year, Administration has met with the group on site and a survey plan has been created for the proposed alignment of the trail. Director Travis Elwood and Secretary Treasurer Dale Culler met at the site and discussed the alignment of the trail with school administration. Principal Gord Ritchie discussed the alignment with his staff and they were in support of the project. The trail will be close to the highway right of way to ensure that it will have minimal impact to parking and snow clearing at the school.
Childcare CUPE BC
Jennifer Harper of CUPE 523 presented some information to the Board about the provincial CUPE’s campaign to have the government support before and after school care at schools through out the province. Currently SD83 has one Seamless Day (before and after school care) pilot project at Silver Creek Elementary.
READ PRESENTATION HERE
Salmon Arm 55+ BC Games
SD83 received a thank you from the Salmon Arm 55+ Games Committee for its support of the recent Games. Debbie Cannon and Carl Cooper attended the meeting to express their gratitude. Cannon thanked the Board for supporting their bid to host the Games and for the ongoing support throughout the process. She highlighted the involvement of 1,200 volunteers who contributed to the success of the Games, saying, “It was a great experience for our community.”
Carl Cooper echoed her thanks, stating they received tremendous support particularly with technology and volunteers. He shared a specific example, saying, “On the last day of the Games it rained so I phoned Scott Anderson (the Principal) and asked if there was any possibility of moving some events indoors at Shuswap Middle School. He made it happen and then got up at 6:30 a.m. to let us in to the facility. That’s just one example and I’d like to say thank you!”
They also shared a highlights video showcasing memorable moments from the Games.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Donna Kriger informed trustees that the new school year started smoothly. “I’ve heard from quite a few people how good it was to be back in schools.” She emphasized the importance of the first day for staff, focusing on building connections and preparing for the students’ arrival. “Staff meetings focussed on aligning the strategic plan with school improvement plans and classroom instruction.
Kriger provided a staffing update, noting the District has 476 teachers, which is an increase of eight from last year, as well as 167 teachers teaching on call (TTOC), and two unfilled positions. On the support staff side there are 396 employees and 227 casuals. Since June, 24 education assistant positions have been added. The District’s Human Resources Department has been very busy filling 41 teacher postings since the middle of August and 175 support staff postings. “They do amazing work for us,” she added.
Although official enrolment numbers won’t be known until after the September 30 count, the District is anticipating an increase in student numbers. An increase in the number of students with designations is also expected. Kriger reported there are currently some enrolment pressures at Hillcrest, Carlin Middle, Bastion and North Shuswap.
Kriger also touched on the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) for students in Grades 4 and 7, noting it is a Ministry reporting requirement. She expressed pride in the District’s high participation rate and emphasized that the FSA is not used to rank children, teachers or schools but provides a snapshot of how students think, communicate, and reflect in literacy and numeracy. Kriger also shared that, in meetings with the FNESC, there was strong support for students of Indigenous ancestry participating in the FSA.
She concluded her report with a positive story about collaboration between transportation staff, principals from Sorrento and Carlin, and support staff, who worked together to remove barriers and help a family access education in a timely manner. “I’m so pleased with our departments for removing silos and working together!”
2025/26 Five Year Minor Capital Plan Submission
After a presentation by Culler and Director of Operations Travis Elwood, the Board approved the 2025-26 Minor Capital Plan submission to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. This included:
School Enhancement Program (SEP)
The SEP is a program that provides capital funding specifically for projects that improve the safety, facility condition, operational efficiency, and functionality of existing schools, in an effort to extend their useful physical life. The District is applying for three projects under this program:
- Heating and Ventilation Upgrade – Carlin Elementary/Middle – Phase 2 of a complete HVAC upgrade.
- Heating and Ventilation Upgrade – A.L. Fortune Secondary – replace HVAC system and energy savings, multi-phase project.
- Heating and Ventilation Upgrade – J.L. Jackson Secondary – replace 22 unit vents, controls, valves, fresh air intake systems, project could be phased.
Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP)
The CNCP is a program that provides capital funding specifically for energy-efficiency projects that lower a school district’s carbon emissions. The District is applying for two projects under this program:
- HVAC – Pleasant Valley Secondary – replace roof top air to air heat pumps that are 30+ years old.
- Exterior Wall Systems – Ranchero Elementary – add insulation and new siding including windows and doors.
Bus Acquisition Program (BUS)
School buses are considered capital assets and capital funding requests to acquire any new or replacement buses must be made to the Ministry as part of a school district’s annual Five-Year Capital Plan submission. The District is applying for five (5) replacement buses under this program.
Playground Equipment Program (PEP)
The PEP was established to provide playground equipment systems at schools that do not currently have one, or to replace aging playground equipment systems that may pose health and safety hazards. Supporting inclusion and accessibility for all children, the PEP is available to provide specific funding to purchase and install new or replacement playground equipment that is universal in design, and is in compliance with accessibility measures. The District is applying for one project under this program:
- Sorrento Elementary – Universally Accessible Playground Equipment – replacement.
Finance & Facilities/Audit Committee
Committee Chair Amanda Krebs reported that at the most recent Finance & Facilities/Audit Committee they discussed the audit, financial report, enrolment projections, a facilities update, and the minor five year capital plan submission. They also looked at big picture items and the details went into a
letter to the ministry discussing how funding is not keeping up with Operational
and Facility needs.
Education Directions Committee
The next meeting of the Education Directions Committee is October 16 at 2 p.m.
Labour Relations
Committee Chair Corryn Grayston noted the Labour Relations Committee met on September 11, 2024, and discussed three items. She noted the JEIS report on illness and absences was showing some positive results.
Partner Group Liaison
Committee Alternate Chair Corryn Grayston informed the Board that during the last Partner Group Liaison meeting there was a sentiment that two or three meetings a year was insufficient. She brought this feedback to the Board for discussion. In response, Chair Amanda Krebs suggested that she will issue a call for agenda items every other month, and if there are enough items, a meeting will be scheduled; if not, it will be postponed to the next month. A meeting is planned for October. “We’ll start there and see how it goes,” Krebs said.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee will be meeting in early October.
Committee of the Whole
Committee Vice Chair Corryn Grayston reported that a Committee of the Whole meeting was held on September 19 and focussed on the Enhanced Student Learning Report. She commented that Superintendent Donna Kriger and Directors of Instruction guided the Board through the report in detail. There was lots to celebrate in the report with students exceeding provincial averages in certain areas and showing growth in others.
Quelmúcw Education Council Update
Trustee Tennile Lachmuth reported that the Quelmúcw Education Council met on September 19, 2024, with a very full day of agenda items. This included discussions about budgets, the new Ministerial Order about councils, reworking terms of reference, and the District name change.
Board Expresses Concern to Ministry
The Board sent a letter to the Ministry expressing concern over operational and capital funding, which significantly impacts the District’s ability to deliver quality education and maintain facilities .
Read the complete letter here
.
Letter of Thanks
The Board received a letter of appreciation from the Ministry of Education and Child Care for the work to get the new Trustee Code of Conduct policy aligned with new provincial suggested guidelines, developed by the BCSTA and the ministry, and in place by September.
Read letter here
.
Trustee Reports
Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk reported that she has been privileged to attend the Bastion and Hillcrest PAC meetings, where she learned there are some very full classes. She said she also attended the Meet the Teacher night and Terry Fox Run. She plans on attending the Splatsin Walk on Monday, September 30, which is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Trustee Corryn Grayston reminded trustees about the first ever Shuswap Family Expo taking place at 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Salmon Arm North Fair Grounds. “I will be attending first of what they hope to be a very successful event. I Hope you can make it.”
Trustee Amanda Krebs reported to trustees that she took part in the Local Education Agreement signing at Splatsin Community Centre this summer. The LEA uses the new framework that the provincial First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) has worked on for many years and is now available to any Band in B.C. to use. “It’s very positive and I”m looking forward to working with them on the LEA.”
Upcoming Dates
October 15 – Regular Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m. at the DESC.