Highlights from the May Board of Education Meeting
After months of meetings, discussion, and consideration of school reconfigurations in the Salmon Arm area, a motion was passed to further explore Option E3 and a variation of that option. This option would reconfigure the Salmon Arm area schools to a Kindergarten to Grade 7 and Grade 8 to 12 configuration, including the possibility of rural schools sending students to Salmon Arm for Grade 8. The variation maintains the same grade configuration but proposes three high schools instead of two.
Trustees decided not to rescind a motion by a previous Board that supports, in principle, Option E5, which configures Salmon Arm urban schools to Kindergarten to Grade 5, with Shuswap remaining a Grade 6-8 middle school, and two Grade 9-12 secondary schools.
Superintendent Donna Kriger noted that all discussions over the past four or five months have focused on revisiting the five options (E1 – E5) suggested in the 2019-2029 Long Range Facilities Plan, with the addition of a sixth option. This new option is a variation of E3 (K-7, 8-12 two secondary model), proposing a K-7, 8-12 three secondary school model. (READ SCHOOL CONFIGURATION REPORT FROM LAST MONTH HERE)
Kriger believes that the results from meetings and surveys indicate that people are looking for an educationally and developmentally sound configuration model, one that provides additional time for connection. The feedback from the community was diverse. “Change is difficult, and we often go with what we know is most comfortable.”
The principals, vice-principals, and senior leadership were in favour of moving to a K-7 and 8-12 model. Kriger shared, “With current enrolment projections suggesting a softening of enrolment numbers, the space pressures faced in 2021 are no longer as significant. A K-7 model across all urban and rural Salmon Arm elementary schools reduces the current inequity for extra-curricular activities and school connectedness. It also alleviates the issue around different instructional minutes and preparation time between Grade 7 and Grade 8. This model reduces transitions for many students from four to two, allowing more time in a single school to build relationships and connectedness.”
After some discussion, trustees requested that Senior Leadership present a sample of programming for each E3 Option during the next Board meeting.
Trustees thanked Kriger and her team for gathering information from so many different areas and for the thorough job of researching not only educational beliefs but also what parents and the community are thinking.
2023/25 Annual Budget
The Board gave first reading to its Annual Budget Bylaw of $107,242,204 for the fiscal year of 2024/25. The annual budget bylaw is comprised of the District’s operating funds, special purpose funds, and capital funds.
“After six years of being a trustee this has to be the hardest budget we’ve faced,” commented Lachmuth. She noted that when looking at news reports, district after district are facing the same challenges. “It is going to be really tough. There are a lot of cuts. There are some things on the list that I don’t want to cut.”
Grayston appreciated the additional budget information but expressed concern about the proposed decrease in teachers and education assistants despite the drop in enrolment. She called for leadership to revisit the budget to find alternative cuts.
VanBuskirk also appreciated the detailed budget and suggested writing to the Ministry for increased per-pupil funding. She noted that costs have risen despite no funding increases for some programs. “Programs such as StrongStart haven’t had an increase in funding since its establishment some 16 years ago, and costs have definitely gone up.”
Gennings described the situation as tough and suggested brainstorming different methods.
Krebs acknowledged the efforts of the District’s Finance Team and highlighted the need to address the funding shortfall. She supported writing to the Ministry and proposed discussing it further during the June meeting.
Secretary Treasurer Dale Culler reviewed the budget with trustees, detailing expenditures and proposed changes. He highlighted the budgeting approach, which started with a “zero-based” method, adding only necessary expenses required for each department. The budget includes proposed reductions to staffing, services, and supplies.
READ BUDGET INFORMATION HERE
DRAFT BUDGET BYLAW HERE
Change of District Name
The Board passed a motion to pursue a partnership with the four local First Nations Bands to explore changing the District’s name to a Secwépemc word or phrase.
Darrell Jones, on behalf of the Quelmúcw Education Council, proposed that the Board take another important step toward reconciliation by changing the name of the School District to a Secwépemctsín word or phrase. Jones, the Chair of the Council, commented that the choice of word or phrase will be carefully considered, and Quelmúcw Education Council members are in the process of consulting with Elders and community members for something suitable.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Donna Kriger acknowledged the successes of Salmon Arm Secondary (SAS) student and nationally ranked skier Jasmine Coubrough. Jasmine has placed in numerous Super G, downhill, and giant Slalom races, and has also won the B.C. Sportsmanship Award. She also placed third at nationals in the U19 downhill skiing category and was third overall at the North American Cup.
Kriger expressed her appreciation for being able to participate in the District Authority Award presentations at SAS and shared that she was impressed by the students’ thoughtful presentations. She thanked Nicole Kosh and all the staff who organized the presentations. Each year, the Ministry of Education and Child Care designates a certain amount of funds for the District Authority Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievement in areas such as Indigenous Languages and Culture, Fine Arts, Applied Design, Skills and Technologies, Physical Activity, International Languages, Community Service, and Technical and Trades Training. To apply, students must complete an application questionnaire, create a cover letter, resume, and two reference letters, and conduct a ten-minute presentation to a panel at their school about their interests and achievements. School recommendations are sent to the Ministry, which confirms that the selected students meet basic criteria and then sends these confirmed recipients a $1,250 scholarship voucher.
Kriger celebrated students who took part in an Anti-racism Summit at Thompson Rivers University and also thanked the volunteers and organizers who helped with the annual Little Mountain Stomp, where over 1,300 students took part in the cross-country running event.
The Indigenous Graduation is scheduled for May 29, 2024, at Splatsin. Along with the graduates and families, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, Assistant Deputy Minister Jennifer McCrea and Superintendent of Indigenous Education Denise Augustine, will be present. Kriger concluded her celebrations by sharing a list of all SD83 graduation ceremonies.
Response to Intervention in Schools
Director of Instruction Jen Findlay shared information about a multi-tiered, collaborative education model being used to support students in SD83 schools. She explained that Response to Intervention (RTI) is designed to improve the achievement of all students. RTI uses a Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 model of support, with regular progress monitoring. It encourages close collaboration and teamwork among teachers, administrators, and other staff. Findlay shared that when she first started teaching in the 90’s, RTI wasn’t a practice. “We taught the exact same thing to every student in the class and “intervention” typically involved a pull-out model, often with little collaboration between the classroom teacher and support staff. At that time, we did the best with what we knew.”
RTI is research-based and focusses on providing quality teaching, early intervention, and regular progress monitoring. Regular progress monitoring is very important because if the child is experiencing difficulties, it often indicates the need for a different intervention strategy. For a small group of students, the strong Tier 1 classroom support may not be enough and they may require additional support at the Tier 2 level, which involves targeted small group interventions. From this group, a smaller number of students might need to move to the Tier 3 supports, which are more individualized, intensive interventions. “Tier 3 support is for our most vulnerable students and often involves outside agencies. It is a wrap-around approach and a collaborative model to best support students,” concluded Findlay.
Kriger added that to build capacity and increase student achievement, the District needs to support teachers with resources and professional learning, as well as provide resources to students.
Online Learning Update
With the closure of SD83’s Distance Learning program (Education Outreach) in June, Director of Instruction Reid Findlay updated the Board on the support for students transitioning to either @KOOL (Kamloops Open Online Learning), which is a provincial hub school, back to a brick-and-mortar school, or to another online platform.
A recent meeting was held with District staff and @KOOL staff to develop a transition plan. Education Outreach Program (EOP) students can transition now or at a later date. The service model that @KOOL offers includes 12-month employees, an academic advisor for each student, and learning resource staff. There is consideration for @KOOL staff to come to SD83 to meet face-to-face with students in the program. “I left the meeting feeling quite good about recommending @KOOL to the students who choose distance learning,” expressed Findlay.
A question and answer document is being prepared and will soon be available on the EOP website. Also, there will be an in-person meeting on May 28, 2024, and a virtual meeting on May 29, 2024. Further details will be available on the EOP website (eop.sd83.bc.ca).
Off to France
The Board granted approval, in principle, for a field trip to France in March 2025 for students from Salmon Arm Secondary School. The trip, organized by teacher Martine Dollack, is open to French Immersion and Core French students. Dollack presented slides from the successful March trip, highlighting the students’ wonderful, respectful, fun, kind, and amazingly punctual behaviour. Dollack wanted to approach the Board early in the planning process with the hope to align the trip with Vernon’s French Immersion school in the future. This would reduce costs for local students and allow for earlier fundraising. The trip, organized through EF Tours, will visit Paris, the Loire Valley, and the French Riviera.
Administrative Calendar and Meeting Schedule
The Board approved the 2024-25 Internal Administrative Calendar and Board Meeting Schedule. The schedule maintains the regular meeting day as the third Tuesday of the month, except for September, when the meeting will be held on the last Tuesday to allow sufficient time for the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning report and the audited financial statements, and in March, when it will be held on the second Tuesday due to Spring Break. Meeting times will remain the same, with in-camera meetings beginning at 4 p.m. and the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. The calendar includes dates for standing committees, as well as B.C. School Trustees’ branch and provincial meetings.
Education Directions Committee
Chair Marianne VanBuskirk reported on the Education Directions meeting held on May 1, 2024. She explained that Director of Instruction Reid Findlay updated the committee on the artificial intelligence resource provided by the Ministry to support school boards and education leaders in thoughtfully developing policies. Director of Instruction Jen Findlay provided an update on Mathology, and VanBuskirk noted that it was encouraging to hear that the teachers in the pilot project want to continue using it, and some new teachers are interested in beginning. The committee also received a StrongStart update, highlighting that some districts are struggling to maintain the program as funding has not increased since its establishment 16 years ago. VanBuskirk expressed concern, stating, “Our District is using other funds to help keep it going. It is not sustainable. I’m hoping the Ministry realizes that funding needs to increase.”
Finance & Facilities/Audit
Chair Amanda Krebs reported that the committee had a very productive meeting, with many of the topics also being presented at the Board meeting. “We discussed the quarterly financials, annual facilities grant, and the budget.”
Quarterly Financials
Secretary Treasurer Dale Culler presented the
quarterly financials
to the Board. He reminded trustees that some expense categories are based on 12 months while others are based on 10 or 11 months. Culler noted a significant overage in teacher salaries, partly due to the number of leaves, and an anticipated overage in benefits. He added that pressure on the accumulated operating surplus (deficit) has prompted a cautionary hold on some capital expenditures for the time being. Culler mentioned that one positive note is that investment income is coming in as projected.
Labour Relations
Committee Chair Tennile Lachmuth reported that the committee met on April 24, 2024, and discussed retirements, staff wellness, and exit surveys.
Policy Committee
Two policies were brought to the Board for first reading, and one policy for a second and final reading.
Policy 133 – Trustee Code of Conduct received significant feedback, so it will be revised and then returned to the Board for additional review and first reading.
Policy 310 – Student Code of Conduct received its first reading and has been circulated for feedback. It will return to the Board for a final reading in June.
Policy 370 – School Fees and Financial Hardship received its second, and final reading, and has been posted to the website.
Quelmúcw Education Council Update
Lachmuth commented that she appreciated the monthly update from the Indigenous Education Department, as it helps to keep the Council informed of what is happening in schools.
Trustee Reports
VanBuskirk attended a Bastion Parent Advisory Council meeting, where Superintendent Donna Kriger and Assistant Superintendent Michelle Guillou spoke and answered questions on school configuration. “There were great questions asked and great information shared. When we left, parents said how helpful the session had been,” said VanBuskirk. She also attended the Bastion Boogie, Hillcrest Hustle, and Little Mountain Stomp, three popular elementary cross-country runs. On April 27, 2024, she attended an Indigenous log blessing with John Sayers and representatives from the local Bands and Salmon Arm Storefront. She had the opportunity to attend the Red Dress Reflection Ceremony at McGuire Lake with Jackson and Salmon Arm Secondary students. VanBuskirk also mentioned enjoying performances by the Shuswap Intergenerational Choir and the Shuswap Youth Choir. She congratulated staff member Zach Powers for leading the Shuswap Youth Choir and retired accompanist Norma Jean Gomme. She attended the opening of the Sacred Circle outdoor learning area at Shuswap Middle School. On May 17, she was on the panel for the District Authority Awards. She encouraged other trustees to take part in this as it was wonderful to hear about what students had accomplished and their future plans.
Lachmuth reported that the City of Armstrong has developed an extreme heat playbook which they are sharing to help keep people safe during an extreme weather event.
Gennings reported that he was invited to both an Enderby and Sicamous Council meeting. At the Enderby meeting future enrolment trends were discussed, as well as the use of school property for other community activities. He also attended a session on cyberbullying.
Upcoming Dates
Committee of the Whole Meeting: Thursday, May 30, at 4 p.m. at the DESC, followed immediately by a public question and answer period
Regular Board of Education Meeting: Tuesday, June 18, at 6 p.m. at DESC