Synopsis of Board of Education meeting

Enrolment is down in SD83, an update on Indigenous Education and SOGI, a look at numeracy results, a possible trail by Jackson, and two field trip approvals were all part of the at the School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) Board of Education meeting on Tuesday at the District Education Support Centre.

Enrolment Update
Student enrolment is more than 100 students lower than projections and has actually decreased from September 2022 numbers, reported Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler to the Board at its meeting on Tuesday.

Culler explains each year at the end of September the District must submit student data to the Ministry (such as demographics, language program enrolment, Indigenous self-identification and reserve residency, Special Needs category, and number of courses for all students in the secondary grades including adults). The collected information is critical for determining full time equivalency (FTE), tracking student movement between schools, and monitoring enrolment trends in programs.

The September 29th data collected showed a decrease of 148.8905 FTE over what was projected in February 2023. It is also a decrease of 28.1250 FTE over enrolment at September 29, 2022.

He noted one of the most significant areas of discrepancy between projections and actual was at kindergarten. Culler explains, similar to most school districts in the province, SD83 relies heavily on Baragar Systems, a software company that helps determine trends, gathers information and demographics about communities, and provides enrolment projections for school districts, but this year the numbers were off. “It could be families moving for lower cost of living, or other reasons.”

Culler estimates this enrolment decline, coupled with some increases in Special Needs categories, English Language Learners, and Adult learners, and a decrease in the numbers of Indigenous Education students, will mean an overall decrease in the school district’s operating grant of approximately $1,008,000.
Vice Chair Amanda Krebs told trustees that because of the decrease in enrolment and the corresponding decrease in the operating grant from the Ministry, the Board’s amended budget will be affected and an upcoming Budget Committee meeting will be held.

Trustee Corryn Grayston questioned if there were any big surprises and whether there was a procedure to contact schools to determine why there was a decline.
Culler said the big surprise was kindergarten numbers. He noted for the other grades Director of Instruction Reid Findlay had pulled data from MyEd, which once analyzed, should help. He added that the district has noticed there is a drop between Grade 10 and 11. Superintendent Donna Kriger reported to the Board that analysis is showing that the district is losing some kids in that transition. She said they also know from the SAS principal that in Grade 12 some students are choosing to take all their requirements in the first semester and then choose not to fill up second semester with courses but rather choose to seek employment or do something else, which impacts course count and secondary numbers. “Some of the conversations we are having as a leadership team and are are already engaged in is what are some of the courses that can be brought forth to students that might be helpful? Is it interest level or do they need to make money before post-secondary?
READ MORE HERE

Reconciliation in Action
Sharing educational data which illustrates how Indigenous students, in particular on-reserve, are doing and concrete steps the Indigenous Education Department is taking to close the achievement gap was part of an update on reconciliation in action by Director of Instruction (Indigenous Education) Chelsea Prince.
Prince showed some photos from the 1950s at Splatsin in Enderby where children were being loaded in the back of a truck to be taken to residential school. “We all know how traumatic that experience is. But, the key point point she wanted to make was that for many years First Nations people had no say in what happened to their children. “No say, no agency, no influence, and no seat at the table.”

“Much has changed in a short time.”

In 2003 the provincial First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) signed a memorandum of understanding which was the beginning of local education agreements in B.C. There was also an agreement to co-create first nations education courses with the Ministry. These steps were very significant to Bands. Now, school districts sit at the table with them, and collaborate with them.
She said the latest Local Education Agreement (LEA) was signed last November with Adams Lake, Neskonlith, and Skwlāx te Secwepemcúlecw (formerly Little Shuswap). This agreement is negotiated every five years and is a legal contract. “It is the work we need to complete. To have a good relationship you need to do what you promised to do.”

Prince said the current LEA focuses on attendance, communication, and students with diverse needs. For example under attendance the action items include:
• Monthly attendance reports to the Band Education Departments
• In the process of developing an attendance “protocol” to guide schools to intervene in attendance issues and work together with Band Education Departments before it becomes a problem
• Addressing root causes of attendance concerns
• Indigenous Education staff support to work with families

Prince noted that there is going to be particular focus to help improve achievement results for on-reserve students. In 2022-23, 38 per cent of on-reserve students had a Ministry designation (17% of all students have a designation). She shared FSA data for Grade 4 & 7 literacy for on-reserve students and all students. “There is a huge disparity between the achievement of on-reserve and off reserve students. Changing results for on-reserve students is an act of reconciliation.”
READ MORE HERE

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – Sexual Orientation Gender Identity (SOGI) Update

SOGI123 is not curriculum but a resource to help teachers help vulnerable students feel safe at school, and it is separate from sex education, explained Director of Instruction Gillian Dawe-Taylor in her update to the Board. Dawe-Taylor went over the legislation and the path B.C. took which resulted in the establishment of the SOGI123 resources. She also pointed out that we are a diverse society but need to find ways to respectfully co-exist.

Dawe-Taylor said the 1 Million March 4 Children website contained some misinformation and inflammatory language, as well as a misunderstanding that SOGI123 is about sex education.

“These are two separate things. SOGI is about protecting a vulnerable population and ensuring they’re not discriminated against, ensuring they are included, connected and safe at school.”  In terms of sex education, she said “As a society we have multiple beliefs around what we should or should not be teaching children about sexual education.”  She said she wanted to ensure that people can separate these two concepts in their minds and understand that SOGI inclusivity is not the same as sexual education.

Dawe-Taylor, who is new to BC and to SD83, said in all of the SD83 documents that she has reviewed since starting here in August, it is clear that everyone is welcome in SD83. She elaborated with “The beliefs of one group – or another – can’t interfere with creation of safe space for all students.  Students deserve to learn in spaces where they can thrive and grow, be welcomed at school, be connected, see themselves in the curricular resources, be able to grow into the person they are meant to be and become the most capable person they can be.”

She added saying all that does not invalidate the rights of an individual to hold a perspective that is not the same as what the legislation may ask us to uphold. “And, I believe that with these contrasting beliefs, it is our responsibility to answer true and genuine questions, and to find ways to co-exist with peace and respect because we are a diverse society made up of many cultures and worldviews.” It also does not invalidate what legislation asks school districts to uphold.

Dawe-Taylor said as a new director and new to BC she took a look at what B.C.’s pathway to establishing SOGI123.  She explained that in 1996, the Canadian Human Rights Act was amended to include sexual orientation as one of the prohibited grounds of discrimination and in 2017 gender identity and gender expression were added as protected grounds. In 2005, gay marriage was legalized in Canada and in 2016, gender identity and expression were given protected status under the BC Human Rights Code. Also, in 2016, SOGI 123 was developed by the ARC Foundation (a not for profit organization) in conjunction with the Ministry, BC Teachers’ Federation, school districts across BC, UBC Faculty of Education, education partners, and various local, national and international 2SLGBTQIA+. The SOGI123 resources aim to reduce homophobia, transphobia and address the alarming statistics regarding 2SLGBTQIA+ BC youth.

She explained that in 2015 SD83’s Board of Education adopted Policy 121 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (which was amended in 2019). In 2017 SD83 created a SOGI District Lead part-time position to assist with SOGI inclusive education.  In 2018 the SD83 SOGI guidelines were developed (and were last updated in 2021 as best practices evolve). In 2020 SD83 developed a SOGI structure with the goal to have a school lead in each school in the district. School lead training and inservice is required one to two times a year.

Dawe-Taylor commended SD83 on its policy and guidelines, how inclusive and supportive it is from Board policy, to supporting student process, to privacy and confidentiality, the dignity of using the names and pronouns desired by the students, to talking about clothing, appearance and dress codes, addressing field trips and gender based activities, washrooms, changerooms, and providing a checklist that schools can use to ensure they are providing a safe, inclusive environment for these vulnerable students. “It really is a fulsome document that staff can use to ensure safety in their classroom.”

In 2022 the Ministry of Education released the K-12 education partners’ statement on support for SOGI, as did the BC Teacher Librarians’ Association . 
Currently SD83 has a District SOGI Lead (.1 FTE), Amy Witt. Witt’s primary duties are to provide school lead training and support, act as a liasion between ARC and SD83 staff, be a resource for SOGI inclusive challenges as they arise, support establishment and development of Gender Sexuality Alliance in district schools, and work with other zone district leads to help with SOGI professional development at the teachers’ zone professional development conference each February. She reports directly to Tanya Harrington, district Vice Principal of Student Wellness. Harrington reports to Dawe-Taylor, Director of Instruction for Diversity and Inclusion.

During question period, a group of parents asked questions about SOGI, which were answered by VanBuskirk, Kriger and Dawe-Taylor. One questioner commented she fully supported acceptance and kindness, however, she asked how do we define supporting the broad spectrum of our schools and promoting one specific ideology and belief?
Dawe-Taylor answered that it is not promoting any ideology or belief. “It is protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act. If someone required a private space for a prayer space, or technology to learn, or was in a wheelchair and needed an access point to get in the building we would provide it. It’s not valuing one or another. It is making sure school is accessible to all.”
Another mentioned that she felt her child brought home an inappropriate book from the library, which wasn’t suitable for a young student. Kriger replied that it was well within a parent’s right to determine if a book is age appropriate. “This can happen with a variety of topics, not just SOGI content per say, take war for example.” She said it is totally appropriate for you to send the book back and let the teacher know you don’t think this is age appropriate. The 15 minute question period was extended by another five minutes, however there wasn’t time to answer all the questions. VanBuskirk encouraged the parents to send their questions to board@sd83.bc.ca.
READ MORE HERE

Superintendent’s Report – Numeracy
During strategic planning sessions parents said they wanted their children to have strong foundational skills in numeracy, commented Superintendent Donna Kriger as she began her report highlighting numeracy development in the school district. Kriger said it will be the end of October or early November when the Grade 10s will write their numeracy assessment. Looking at the Grade 4 FSA data she pointed out there was an interesting trend. The achievement trend in numeracy, both at the provincial and local level, is declining. At a recent Superintendent’s meeting she attended this was under discussion. “People are really identifying gaps since the pandemic.” She said there were numerous reasons for this including that students were in and out of school, as were staff. As mathematical understanding is like building blocks, if you miss out on some concepts it is harder to understand the new ones. The declining results are a concern and one of the plans to address this is to conduct a pilot of a math resource called Mathology, for primary and intermediate learners. Also, numeracy helping teacher Doug Smith will continue to support math classrooms in targeted schools as well as interested schools. Consideration will need to be given to budget allocations for anchor resources and additional personnel support.
SEE SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT POWERPOINT HERE

Superintendent’s Report – Indigenous Grad Requirement
The students graduating in 2024 will be the first group to have the Indigenous graduation requirement. She said the district has followed a three year implementation cycle to ensure what is being offered is a robust,, well delivered course with appropriate resources. Each secondary school in the district, including Jackson, is offering courses to satisfy this requirement. The intention is for the course options to be expanded in the future. These options will expand over time. Kriger thanked Director of Instruction Chelsea Prince for the significant amount of preparation and to teachers who are now teaching it to students. The new grad requirement is in response to the Calls to Action. B.C. is one of the few places that has implemented this.

Superintendent’s Report – Reconciliation – a Value of SD83 & Building Partnerships
Reconciliation is one of the values in the district’s new strategic plan. Kriger referenced the recent student gathering which took place at Splatsin Centre where approximately 400 to 500 people attended a presentation leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Shihiya School as well as M.V. Beattie Elementary and A.L. Fortune joined together to hear the Kulak family, who travelled from Saskatchewan, share their story about how National Ribbon Skirt Day came to be. Kriger shared with trustee the words “nothing about us without us.” She said she was reminded of those words that particular day, and she added the Kulak family actually used that phrase as well when addressing different audiences. “For a long time we have, in our education system, have tried to determined what is important for Indigenous students without involving Indigenous families in some of that work.”
Kriger commented that at the Splatsin Centre one of the educators who works with the Band, Narissa Joseph, called it a historic event as it wast the first time the two public schools in Enderby had joined together with Shihya for such an event. She was later quoted in he media saying “if that’s not truth and reconciliation, I don’t know what is.”
Kriger added it is a powerful statement. “It’s something the Board needs to be proud of – the work has gone on and the relationships that have been built. Another one of our strategic goals is to build community partnerships. It is incredible work the Board has done in encourage those relationships to be built.”

Superintendent’s Report – Dual Credit Opportunities
Kriger noted there has been some incredible work done in the area of career development and dual credit opportunities. At a recent Ministry meeting, superintendents were informed that in the next 10 years, 80 per cent of jobs will require post-secondary education. “Currently in the province the transition to post-secondary is going down, and the numbers of Indigenous students going on to post-secondary is also down, with many of those who choose to go to post-secondary having to take additional upgrading before being able to attend.”
She said the Ministry also shared that students in dual credit programs, where students earn post-secondary credits in a particular field while still in high school, have a high success rate of graduating and transitioning to post-secondary. She added more support is now coming for dual credit programs, particularly in those hard to fill careers in areas such as health care and education assistants.

Superintendent’s Report – Celebrations
Kriger mentioned World Teachers’ Day and thanked teachers for the incredible work they do in a very complex career. “They are called on to wear many hats and I have a great appreciation for them.” She also mentioned the land acknowledgement written by Falkland teacher Robbie McAfee’s kindergarten class. “I think about myself a few years ago and I didn’t really know how to do it and here we are in 2023 with Kindergarten kids showing their appreciation and learning to acknowledge the land they reside on.”
Kriger added that Student/Teacher/Family conferences are coming up on Oct. 26 and she wants to celebrate the tremendous amount of work – not just by staff but also parents and students – to take a system of grading and change their thinking towards the provincial model of proficiency scale. “I want to acknowledge all the work that has gone into this.”
Kriger wrapped up with a couple of appreciations to staff members, who do so much to support extra curriculars and sports. In particular she mentioned Richard Scott, an electrician with the district, who spent a tremendous time coaching softball to the players who went to the North American Indigenous Games and brought home a medal, and to Crystal Truscott, the SD83 inclusion support teacher, who is organizing a high school swim meet on Oct. 29.

Trail Project
After an update from Culler, the Board authorized administration to negotiate an 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. Culler explained the first phase is a small project connecting the underpass tunnel to the existing trail at McGuire Lake Park. He told trustees that the area where the trail would go is not an area he could see the district ever wanting to build on. Jackson Principal Gord Ritchie also attended the meeting and noted that the possibility had been discussed with staff and they were in favour. “I have one teacher who would really like a mountain bike trail as well, ” he smiled, referring to the school’s popular Mountain Bike Academy program.
READ MORE HERE

Off to Greece, Italy and Vatican City in 2024
A proposed trip to Greece, Italy and Vatican City by Eagle River Secondary in March 2024 received approval in principle by the Board of Trustees at the meeting on Tuesday. One of the organizing teachers, Dakota Mellin, and a student who will be participating on the trip, Ava Fischer-Boneham, talked to the Board about it. Mellin reported the trip is open to ERS students in Grades 10 through 12. The tour itself is being organized by EF Tours and includes some extras including a trip through the Roman catacombs, a Greek night, a trip to the Stone City in the Sky, a night ferry, touring some ancient rooms and more! Mellin explained that she is an alumni of ERS and there was a major field trip every couple of years. Now that she is teaching there she wants to keep up the tradition. She noted so far 10 students have enrolled and another is interested. The students have been raising funds running movie nights at the school, putting on “sundae days” in the community, and working at community events.
READ MORE HERE

Off to Spain and Paris in 2024
Jackson also received approval in principle for a March 2024 trip, this one to Spain and Paris. Organizing teachers are Elaine Holmes and Chris Iverson. The tour will include a guided sightseeing tour of Madrid landmarks, a Flamenco evening, a tour of Barcelona, a guided sightseeing tour of Paris, a tour of the art of Paris, a Seine River Cruise and more! Holmes, when speaking to the Board about the trip, mentioned that she had organized several such trips in the past. She met up with one of her former students who had gone on a trip several years ago, told her that it changed her world and gave her the confidence to travel. “Since then she has travelled many places. I love being part of that.”
READ MORE HERE

Trustee attendance
The Board received the annual report on trustee attendance for the previous year. This report is for information only.
SEE REPORT HERE

Education Directions
Committee Chair VanBuskirk reported the next meeting will be on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.

Finance & Facilities/Audit
Committee Chair Amanda Krebs reported the Oct. 4th Finance and Facilities/Audit Committee meeting was a busy one with topics under discussion including the greenway trail project, and enrolment/1701, with both coming to the Board for action.

Partner Group Liaison
Committee Chair VanBuskirk reported the next meeting is on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 4 p.m.

Policy Committee
Committee Chair Brent Gennings reported a policy committee meeting is being planned for Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.

Committee of the Whole
Chair VanBuskirk noted the next Committee of the Whole meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 11:30 a.m. at the DESC. Under discussion will be the strategic plan and reconfiguration.

BCSTA Update
Lachmuth is attending the provincial council meeting Oct. 20-21. She and VanBuskirk also reported on the Thompson-Okanagan trustee branch meeting in Merritt they recently attended which they described as a couple of days of rich and impactful learning. A couple of suggestions to staff from the meeting included investigating possible dual credit or other opportunities with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, which they described as a fantastic facility, as well as possibly investigating a calming garden/gathering place/water feature as part of the landscaping around the currently being rebuilt Pleasant Valley Secondary School gym.
VanBuskirk also mentioned she is taking part in the Advocacy Day on Oct. 19 where B.C. School Trustees Association Board Chairs have the opportunity to meet with the provincial MLAs and discuss key areas. She invited trustees to send her any key items, information they would like her to speak on.

FNEC Update
Lachmuth reported the First Nations’ Education Council has officially changed its name. It is now Quelmúcw Education Council. Director of Instruction Chelsea Prince explained quelmúcw means “all Indigenous people” and is phonetically pronouned kel-mook.

Trustee Reports
Trustee Brent Gennings reported he went on a visit to M.V. Beattie, A.L.Fortune, and Grindrod recently and had really good discussion with the principals. He said the food program is going very well at all three schools and he credits the good relationship with local food store, Askews. He added the dual credit program at A.L. Fortune has students in both welding and electrical. “It is nice to see these kids getting an early opportunity on careers. He said one of the common issues was a shortage of replacement certified education assistants (CEAs). “In all it was a really good visit and good conversation.”
Trustee Lachmuth reported that she attended the Pleasant Valley Football game in Vernon recently. “It is good to see their program coming together.”
VanBuskirk reported on attending a presentation by Isabella Kulak on September 27. “It was impactful and an honour to meet the family and hear her story.” She thanked Superintendent Kriger and team for organizing a powerful day of reconciliation. She also reported attending the Secwepemc flag raising at Hillcrest and Jackson, and attended the awareness walk at Splatsin on September 30. On Oct 3 she attended the trustee working session which looked at many things including organizational structure, family of schools, procedural bylaws, trustee code of conduct, planning ahead, reconfiguration and more.

Upcoming
Oct. 31 – Committee of the Whole at 11:30 a.m. (meeting will be recorded and posted)
Oct. 31 – Special meeting of the Board for annual Board elections at 1:30 p.m. at the District Education Support Centre
Nov. 10 – Stat in lieu for Remembrance Day
Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day
Nov. 21 – Regular Board Meeting at 6 p.m. at DESC.