Regular meeting of the Board
An update on the strategic plan survey, the transition to provincial online learning, information on SD83’s sexual orientation gender orientation (SOGI) support, and an enrolment update were all presented at the SD83 Board of Education meeting held at A.L. Fortune in Enderby on Tuesday.
Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan survey and thought exchange has been extended until Monday, Jan. 23, reported Superintendent of Schools Donna Kriger to the Board. She commented she took a snap shot and so far there has been 843 participants with 642 comments and 15,704 ratings. She encouraged anyone who hasn’t yet taken part in the survey to please give their input (click here to go to ThoughtExchange Survey). She added the survey has been extended a week because they wanted more student participation before closing it.
At the beginning of the process Kriger was asked to ensure that she make sure the survey was broad so it didn’t force people to answer what the district wanted to hear. So she went for a broad question and, she said, it will hopefully garner what will be a profile of a graduate.
“That’s why we’re here. What is it that we need to do for kids to make sure they are ready when they graduate.” She said the information will be used to help develop the mission, vision, and value statements for the district.
“This will give us a great starting point when we begin our face to face meetings. It will be, this is what we believe we are hearing. Do we have it right?”
She comments the ThoughtExchange platform gives in-depth data about not only how people answer the survey question but also about what people think about other answers. She showed trustees a snapshot of the data so far, saying the data is showing problem solving, critical thinking and resiliency as common themes.
Enrolment Trend Update
Assistant Superintendent Ryan Brennan updated the trustees on enrolment trends in SD83 and areas where issues may arise. Brennan commented that the district contracts Baragar Systems of Burnaby, which specializes in demographic planning for school districts. Using many sources of information, Baragar’s projections show district enrolment increasing until 2027 and then dropping a little. Brennan went through each of the areas in the school district with graphs showing trends from 2018 to 2037.
He pointed out in the Armstrong zone, considerations include that Armstrong Elementary continues to operate at capacity and is projected to do so into 2031. However, Highland Park continues to have space to allow for overflow until the end of the decade. Baragar projects that Falkland School will continue to see enrolment growth over the next 10 years with Ministry capacity possibly being exceeded in 2030. Len Wood and Pleasant Valley continue to have excess capacity.
In the Enderby zone, M.V. Beattie continues to experience enrolment growth, which is projected to soften over the next several years. There may be a need for an additional portable at Beattie. Grindrod and A.L.Fortune continue to have capacity.
In the Sicamous zone Parkview and Eagle River continue to have excess capacity.
In the Salmon Arm elementary/middle schools there continues to be capacity issues at some schools, while there is excess space in others. Brennan said catchment areas may have to be looked at in the future to address new residential buildings. Shuswap Middle School enrolment appears to have plateaued from its recent growth and is projected to be slightly under capacity for the next decade.
For the Northwest zone (elementary/middle) both Sorrento Elementary and North Shuswap continue to experience enrolment growth, with a potential need for portable classrooms in the future.
For Salmon Arm zone (secondary) the projections show both Jackson and Salmon Arm secondaries continuing to see enrolment growth for the next decade. He added there may be a need for additional portables at Jackson and room reconfigurations at Sullivan in the near future.
SEE GRAPHS HERE
SOGI Report
“For some students and families SOGI is a window, and for others, it is a mirror. What is SOGI in schools? It looks like inclusion. We are not trying to change anyone but are making room for everyone. It is not a distinct curriculum, but rather an inclusion lens for all subjects.” She adds that SOGI-inclusive education is about students having age-appropriate conversations about the SOGI diversity in society and the importance of treating everyone with respect. She notes SOGI-inclusive education simply means speaking about SOGI in a way that ensures every student feels like they belong.
She noted SOGI inclusive education implementation in SD83 means there is a board policy, district lead position, school lead training, development of SD83 SOGI guidelines, CEA education, bus driver education, clerical education, principals and vice-principals education, and trustee education. Direct student support includes Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and diversity clubs, itinerant and school-based counsellor support, visible signs of classroom and school welcome and safety, accessible single stall washrooms, and “all gender” staff washrooms.
READ MORE HERE
SEE SLIDES HERE
Off to Quebec!
Shuswap Middle School (SMS) received approval for a grade 8 French Immersion trip to Quebec from May 28 to June 6, 2023. The trip is open to all grade 8 French Immersion students at the school and their parents. It is meant to expose students to French Canadian culture and Canadian history as well as an opportunity to use their second language skills in a real-world setting. SMS is expecting some 37 students, two teachers and two parents to take part. Organizing teachers Roni Wocknitz and Rose Trudeau described the activity-filled trip and said there are between 30 and 40 families interested. Those taking part will take in culture and cuisine in each of Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa. The trip is through JumpStreet education tours and includes a doctor on call and night security. The trip also includes a carbon offsetting program where funds go to the San Antonio El Sitio wind power project.
Transition to Provincial Online Learning
Starting in September 2023 SD83’s Education Outreach Program (EOP) will return to the pre-COVID delivery model of grade 9-12. Trustees passed the motion after a discussion where they learned that in response to COVID the decision was made to expand to include students from kindergarten to grade 12. Kriger explained that post COVID, these numbers have declined, particularly in kindergarten to grade 8. Also, beginning next school year, SD83 will no longer be able to enrol out of district students. The province has adopted a provincial online learning school model that allows only approved districts to offer courses to students who are not living within their geographic boundaries. Given this change and the declining need for K-8 students to access online learning within the district, it was recommended SD83 return to the former grade 9-12 model. Local K-8 students will be able to access the provincial online courses if they wish to continue with online learning.
Ministry Final Funding Update
Acting Secretary Treasurer Bruce Hunt reports the district received updated funding information from the Ministry just before the break. He commented the district was 112 students above projections but was down 46 students in online learning so the net was about 60.
He noted teachers, certified education assistants (CEA) and resources were added in September to provide for the extra students. He explained on the Special Education side there was growth in students in level one, two and three unique student needs. Additional CEA time was put in place for support. Indigenous student enrolment continues to climb so there was an increase in targeted funding to be spent in direct support for those students. The net of the changes is approximately $1.2 million and the adjusted annual budget will come to the next Board meeting to be discussed. He noted that the additional staff, high inflation, fuel prices, and the rate increases for Canada Pension and Employment Insurance will require all of the additional funding.
Final Funding Summary (pdf of chart)
2023/24 Annual Budget Development Process
Hunt also presented the 2023-24 annual budget development process for approval. This includes budget advisory committee meetings, Board meetings, an online survey/thought exchange on priorities for improving student outcomes, and several committee of the whole meetings. After adding an additional budget committee meeting in early May and a placeholder budget advisory committee meeting for Oct./Nov. 2023, the schedule was adopted by the Board. The District is expecting the 2023/24 funding announcement from the Ministry of Education and Child Care on March 15.
SEE SCHEDULE HERE
Policy 390 – Anti-Racism
The Board approved
the second and final reading of Policy 390 – Anti-Racism
as presented. The policy was initiated through the Equity Committee in November 2022. During the development of this policy various committees and stakeholder groups provided feedback.
Celebrations
Curling team off to Provincials – Kriger congratulated the Sullivan and Jackson curling teams which claimed the gold and silver medals at the Thompson-Okanagan Regional High School Curling Playdowns in Kamloops over the weekend. Both rinks went undefeated in their draws and met in the finals. After an intense game, Sullivan claimed the win and now goes on to represent our region in the province finals from February 22-25 in Terrace.
Early Learning Opportunities – She shared that the SD83 Early Learning Team has some very good opportunities coming up in the next while. A Ready, Set, Learn session will be held at each elementary school in our district over the next several months. Check out the SD83 website or your neighbourhood school for details.
Pirate Loppet Coming Up – Kriger reported that many SD83 elementary students will be taking part in the popular “Pirate Loppet” on February 3rd at Larch Hills. This unique opportunity for our students is an event designed to encourage kids to learn and have fun cross country skiing. And of course, they get to dress like a pirate. Thank you to our sponsors for making this possible.
Kindergarten/Early French Immersion/Outdoor Learning Registrations – Registration for these programs is now open.
Education Directions
Committee Chair Marianne VanBuskirk reported on the most recent meeting commenting the Red Cedar Book Club, which includes students from Bastion and Shuswap Middle School and sponsored by teacher librarian Shannon Murrells-Allaway, gave an excellent presentation. “These students are just so keen to read and share. I appreciate the enthusiasm of the students and all the work done by the teacher sponsor.”
Finance, Facilities and Audit
Committee Chair Amanda Krebs reported at the committee meeting they discussed the final funding summary and Director of Operations Travis Elwood gave an update on facilities, the demolition of PVSS gym and all the work being done. She noted on the finance side nothing stood out but substitute costs are again high. She commented they have received word that per pupil funding will not increase for the remainder of the school year. Krebs commented with inflation and increasing costs more funding is needed to maintain services. She made a motion, and the Board approved, that the Chair be directed to write a letter on the Board’s behalf asking the Ministry to increase per pupil funding for the 2023-24 school year.
Partner Group Liaison
Committee Chair VanBuskirk reported a Partner Group Committee meeting is set for Thursday, Jan. 26.
Policy Committee
Committee Chair Tennile Lachmuth reported the Policy Committee met earlier this month and had another productive session. She noted the final administrative procedures to go along with the opioid overdose policy has been finalized, as was the Anti-Racism policy which went to the Board for second and final reading, and passed by the Board. The committee is now looking at updating policy around field trips.
BCSTA Update
Lachmuth reported that the BCSTA Provincial Council carried an emergency motion in December advocating for funding to help with inflationary costs being faced by school districts. She noted an in-person branch meeting will be held in Kelowna on March 3-4. She also informed trustees about online trustee orientation sessions which will start on January 19.
FNEC Update
Lachmuth reported the next meeting is on February 15.
Trustee Reports
Lachmuth told trustees she got to participate in her very first grad capstone as a mentor and she said it was a very cool experience.
VanBuskirk reported that she was very appreciative of the schools who hosted winter productions, talent shows and concerts. She added there are still more coming up so she encouraged everyone who could to check them out. She also reported on the December 22-23 Homecoming Event at Sullivan. “It was a really fun experience.” She said the alumni Golds and Jewels basketball teams face off with the current teams and there is lots of good natured competition. “Thanks to Rhys Waters for organizing this.” She mentioned there was also a bottle drive at SAS to fund raise for the music program which is trying to go on a Rocky Mountain band trip. “Many thanks to those who donated.” She wrapped up saying there was a good turnout for the Reino Keski-Salmi Loppet and to remind everyone about the annual district Pirate Loppet coming up on February 3.
Upcoming
Feb. 21 – Regular Board Meeting at 6 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Secondary