Highlights from the September Board Meeting
The K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No. 83 Board of Education held its Regular Board meeting on September 23, 2025, with all trustees in attendance, confirming quorum. Board Chair Corryn Grayston opened a welcome and acknowledged that the Board holds its meetings on the traditional and unceded land of the Secwépemc people. To download the Highlights from the Regular Board Meeting, click here .
Trustee Variation
During the 2024-25 school year, the Board began discussions about the possibility of requesting Ministry approval to add two additional trustees during the 2026 election process.
Superintendent Kriger referenced the briefing note included in the agenda package, highlighting that current SD83 trustee expenses account for approximately 0.085% of the annual budget. If two trustees were added, this figure would increase to approximately 0.119%.
A meeting between the Board and Municipal Governments is scheduled for early October to continue the conversation.
A follow-up public survey will be shared to provide further information and address some of the questions raised in the initial survey.
Delegation
Lori Moger, Okanagan Regional Manager for Volleyball BC, appeared before the Board as a delegation to express that, as a registered non-profit organization, Volleyball BC faces challenges in securing facilities for grassroots programs, camps, adult leagues, club volleyball, and other events. These challenges are primarily due to limited availability and high costs. As a result, the organization may need to focus on expanding offerings that reflect the interests of children. Volleyball BC is trying to keeping its fees affordable and respectfully asked the Board to consider rental costs when making decisions.
Trustees thanked Lori for the presentation and shared that some municipalities currently offer grant-in-aid programs that non-profits can apply for to help cover costs. Certain cities have recently opened their grant applications, which could be a valuable resource—especially as many facilities have discontinued their discounted rates for non-profits in recent years.
Superintendent’s Report
Four years ago, the District introduced a full-day staff start-up to replace the traditional half-day student start. This change allows school teams to collaborate, plan, and align their goals before students arrive. A recent survey showed 97% of staff responded positively, citing benefits like orientation for new staff and meaningful collaboration. This day is now seen as an “alignment day”, deeply connected to the district’s Strategic Plan, which guides school learning plans and student outcome goals. Superintendent Kriger emphasized that the Strategic Plan has become a core foundation for District operations, and staff across all schools have shown strong ownership and engagement in shaping their learning plans around it.
Within her report, Superintendent Kriger provided staffing and enrolment updates, along with plans for upcoming school reconfiguration meetings. Reconfiguration meetings will be staggered through October and November with school PACs and staff at Bastion, Shuswap Middle, J.L. Jackson, and Salmon Arm Secondary.
This year, attention was given to Foundational Skills Assessment (FSA) data, which plays a key role in tracking student learning trends over time. The District values this assessment for its ability to provide year-over-year and longitudinal data, helping compare local performance with provincial benchmarks. Superintendent Kriger emphasized the District’s high participation rates, especially among First Nations students, noting strong support from FNESC for inclusive assessment practices. Importantly, FSA results are not used to rank students or teachers, but rather to inform planning and support student success. The assessment data also ties directly into the District’s Strategic Plan, which guides school learning plans and goal-setting. The District remains committed to using data responsibly to enhance student learning and align efforts across schools.
Communicating Student Learning
Before the provincial reporting policy officially launched in July 2023, the District has been on a five-year journey to improve how student learning is communicated. Director of Instruction (Early Years and Elementary), Jennifer Findlay, highlighted the development of a living District guideline document, now in its 15th+ version, created collaboratively with educators and reviewed annually by the CSL (Communicating Student Learning) working group, which includes members from NOSTA, PVP, and SLT.
The new reporting approach is guided by three key goals: empowering student voice and agency in learning, engaging families in meaningful conversations about student progress, and providing personalized, strength-based feedback that celebrates growth and outlines clear next steps.
In terms of structure, the district has implemented several practices to support these goals. A dedicated conference day is scheduled for Monday, October 20th, offering an opportunity for families and teachers to connect. While this day is valuable, it also presents challenges for families with young children and working parents. To address this, teachers are encouraged to treat it as a conference week, offering flexible scheduling options such as morning or evening meetings to accommodate different needs.
In the spring, student-led conferences are strongly recommended, particularly in K–8 schools, where students take the lead in discussing their learning and goals. Throughout the year, students receive two formal written learning updates via MyEd, along with an informal spring update and a year-end summary of learning. A major shift in the new policy is the emphasis on descriptive feedback, which is now personalized, strength-based, and focused on growth. Teachers receive ongoing professional development to support this work and ensure feedback is meaningful and actionable.
To further support student voice and evidence of learning, the district uses SpacesEDU for K–8 and MyBlueprint for secondary students. These electronic portfolios allow students to document and reflect on their learning, and families can access and track progress over time.
The CSL working group continues to meet annually to refine guidelines and share resources. The District is also exploring the use of AI tools to help streamline the writing of learning updates, recognizing the time and care educators invest in making them meaningful. Throughout all these efforts, there is a continued emphasis on student voice, aligning closely with the district’s Strategic Plan and the Ministry’s vision for inclusive, student-centered education.
Enhancing Student Learning Report
The Board passed a motion to approve the Enhancing Student Learning Report 2024-25 based on the information presented. In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Order, the ESLR has been submitted to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and is available on the District website: Enhancing Student Learning.
Instrument Rental Costs
Education Direction Committee
Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk reported that the next Education Directions Committee meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2025. The Committee is currently seeking new members and has extended an invitation to partner groups and students.
Financial Statement Discussion & Analysis / 2024/25 Audited Financial Statement
Acting Secretary-Treasurer Hunt explained that the Financial Statement Discussion and Analysis is a supplementary document designed to enhance transparency and help readers better understand the financial statements. It adds narrative context and is divided into three main sections: the operating fund (used for day-to-day operations), special purpose funds (targeted initiatives), and the capital fund (related to assets and infrastructure). Highlights and further details are reviewed throughout the briefing notes and statements.
The District’s auditor, KPMG, issued a clean audit opinion on the Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, confirming that the statements are fairly and accurately presented and comply with generally accepted accounting standards applicable to school districts in B.C.
Heather Power, KPMG Lead Audit Engagement Partner shared highlights from the annual audit process, noting that the audit plan remained unchanged and was presented to the Finance and Facilities/Audit Committee in June. The audit focused on key areas such as capital assets, revenue, salaries and benefits, and operating expenses. Although three minor misstatements were identified, they were not material and did not affect the audit opinion. The audit is now complete, and the financial statements will soon be finalized and released.
Hunt highlighted the following:
- Employee Benefits: Costs increased by approximately $600,000 compared to the previous year, largely due to rising extended health, dental, and WorkSafe rates. However, the District budgeted closely and is tracking these increases well.
- Service & Supplies: Spending was conservative due to previous financial challenges. Schools maintained surplus balances, showing restraint in non-essential spending.
- Utilities: A warmer winter and more efficient HVAC and geothermal systems led to savings. The upcoming budget reflects reduced utility costs in hopes the trend continues.
- Professional Development: Spending came in well below budget, reflecting a cautious approach to training.
- Special Purpose Funds: Several grants were carried forward due to late-year approvals, including:
- Feeding Futures (approx. $85,000 deferred)
- National School Food Program (approx. $68,000 deferred)
- Professional Learning Grant for literacy supports (approx. $226,000)
- Capital Projects: The Pleasant Valley gym was completed and opened in January. The District contributed $615,000 to the project, with the Ministry of Education providing $14 million. That restricted capital is now fully used.
Overall, the financial statements reflect careful budgeting, strategic spending, and a commitment to improving the District’s financial standing after a challenging year.
The Board approved Financial Statements are submitted to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and are available on the District’s website: 2024-25 Audited Financial Statements. Additionally, the 2024-25 Financial Statement Discussion & Analysis is available here.
The Board passed a motion to approve the additional transfer from the Operating funding in the amount of $795,500 to the Local Capital reserve for information technology, photocopiers, portables, classroom equipment & resources, vehicle replacement, grounds equipment replacement, and rental building repairs.
The Board also passed a motion approving the allocation of operating surplus to the programs and projects included in Note 18 – Accumulated Surplus, of the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025.
2026-27 Five-year Capital Plan Submission – Minor
The Board of Education is preparing to submit its 2026–27 Minor Capital Plan to the Ministry of Education and Child Care by the required deadline of September 30, 2025. This annual submission outlines proposed capital projects over a five-year period and helps the Ministry prioritize funding for school improvements across the province.
The District is requesting funding under the programs listed below:
School Enhancement Program (SEP)
Focused on improving safety, efficiency, and functionality in schools, the District is applying for heating and ventilation upgrades at:
- South Canoe Elementary
- Sorrento Elementary
- Armstrong Elementary
- Salmon Arm West Elementary
- Len Wood Middle
Carbon Neutral Capital Program (CNCP)
This program supports energy-efficiency upgrades to reduce carbon emissions. The District is applying for:
- Ceiling insulation upgrades at Armstrong Elementary
- Exterior wall and window improvements at Ranchero Elementary
- HVAC system replacement at A.L. Fortune Secondary
Bus Acquisition Program
The District is requesting funding to replace seven school buses, ensuring safe and reliable transportation for students.
Playground Equpment Program (PEP)
To support inclusive and accessible play spaces, the District is applying for:
- A new playground at Shuswap Middle School (in preparation for its reconfiguration to a K–7 French Immersion school); and,
- Replacement of universally accessible playground equipment at Carlin Elementary/Middle and Highland Park Elementary.
School Food Infrastructure Program (FIP)
Aligned with the province’s Feeding Future initiative, the District is applying for funding to renovate the food preparation and service space at J.L. Jackson.
These projects reflect the District’s commitment to maintaining safe, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments for all students.
A motion was passed to approve the 2026-27 Minor Capital Plan submission to the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Facility Rental Fees 2025-26
The District is reviewing a proposed increase to facility rental fees for the 2025–26 school year. School facilities are regularly rented and leased to various community organizations and user groups. However, the current rental rates have not been updated since the mid-1990s and no longer reflect the costs required to maintain and steward these public assets effectively.
Following a review of comparable rates from other school districts and municipal facilities in the region, staff support a fee adjustment to bring the District’s rates in-line with similar structures.
Benefits of the proposed fee adjustment include:
- Enhanced maintenance and timely repairs;
- Upgrades to equipment and technology;
- Preservation of District-owned facilities;
- Increased budget flexibility to support educational priorities;
- Strengthened long-term planning; and,
- More strategic and sustainable use of school spaces.
The Board agreed to Table the Facility Rental Fees 2025-26 item.
Property Bylaw No. 2-2025
The Board approved three readings for Property Bylaw No. 2-2025, which authorizes a Statutory Right-of-Way agreement for the property at 3130 Wood Avenue in Armstrong. This agreement will allow BC Hydro and Telus to install upgraded electrical and telecommunications infrastructure to support current and future needs, including EV bus charging capabilities.
Facilities 2025 Summer Projects
Acting Secretary-Treasurer Hunt presented a report highlighting the work completed by the Facilities Department over the summer. The full Facilities Summer Projects 2025 Report is available, here.
Policy Committee
Trustee Brent Gennings brought forward the Policy Committee’s recommendations to the Board, proposing they are repealed:
Policy 3050 School Staffing – staffing of schools is determined through collective agreements, Human Resources Guidelines, and staffing formulas;
Policy 7020 Whistle Blower Protection – Policy 150 Public Interest Disclosure and Administrative Procedure 400 Public Interest Disclosure have replaced this policy; and,
Policy 8010 Evergreen Certificate – Administrative Procedure 320 School Completion (Evergreen) Program Placement has replaced this policy.
The Board unanimously supported all three recommendations.
Committee of the Whole
Board Chair Corryn Grayston reported that the Committee met on September 18, 2025, to revies and discuss the Enhancing Student Learning Report 2024-25.
BCSTA Board Chair Call
Board Chair Corryn Grayston reported that on a recent early start-up call with BCSTA Board Chairs, Minister Beare reassured participants that the provincial government has no plans to dissolve school boards in British Columbia, unlike developments in Ontario. She also shared that student safety remains a top priority and discussed the ongoing roll-out of the National School Food Funding program, noting some recent changes but confirming its continuation. The Minister also addressed the importance of maintaining access zones around schools, particularly in districts where this is a concern. Although not part of the Ministry of Infrastructure, she shared that $4.6 billion has been allocated to that Ministry and encouraged engagement with its representatives. BCSTA has been actively advocating for education issues through meetings with politicians, media appearances, and participation in public forums to ensure that the voices and concerns of school boards are being heard.
Quelmúcw Education Council
Board Vice Chair Tennile Lachmuth reported that Nerissa Joseph from Splatsin is the new Quelmúcw Education Council Chair. On September 17, 2025, the Committee reviewed and discussed the Enhancing Student Learning Report and the Indigenous Education Department Year Plans. The Council is preparing for community and leadership engagement to raise awareness about its role and activities, as well as a professional development retreat for Council members. The Council has submitted an application to present at the upcoming FNESC conference to showcase the District’s longstanding collaborative work and recent achievements, including the District name change.
Upcoming Dates
September 30 Orange Shirt Day
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
October 6, 4:30 pm Trustee Variation Municipal Consultation
October 14, 5:30 pm Trustee Education Session (Trustee Variation)
October 17-18 BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch Meeting, Kamloops, BC
October 21, 6 pm Regular Board Meeting
November 3, 4–6 pm Trustee Education Session (School Learning Plans)
