Synopsis of June 17, 2025, Regular Board Meeting

2025-2026 Annual Budget Bylaw
After an update by Acting Secretary-Treasurer Jeremy Hunt and discussion, the Board gave second, and final reading to its annual balanced budget bylaw of $111,532,084 for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

As numbers have been finalized, Hunt updated trustees on changes since the first reading in May (see graphic).

He also went over a risk assessment with trustees for each of the items in the budget priorities (see Budget Overview ), which includes the addition of early childhood educator time in some SD83 kindergarten classes, a District Principal of Technology, Careers and Innovation, and athletic directors for secondary schools.

Trustees thanked Hunt for his presentation and his hard work in trying to find efficiencies within a very tight budget. Krebs, the Chair of the Finance & Facilities/Audit Committee, commented that a lot of work has gone into finding efficiencies, and that staff have done the best job they can, after assessing the risks, to allocate the district’s limited funds appropriately.

Trustees also expressed appreciation to the Finance team for all the work that goes into preparing the budget. Hunt said it is a small team and he greatly appreciates all of their hard work.

It was also noted that the Board will be meeting with Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare on June 24, 2025. During this meeting, the Board plans to advocate for additional funding, for initiatives such as early childhood educators in Kindergarten classrooms.
Budget Overview
2025-26 Annual Budget Bylaw

Environmental Stewardship Action Plan
After a presentation by Director of Instruction Reid Findlay, the Board adopted the Environmental Stewardship Action Plan . The plan outlines five pathways of environmental stewardship: Learning, Culture and Leadership, Sustainability, Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, and Responsibility to the Land. Each of these pathways has its own objectives that will guide the specific actions (see plan for details).

Findlay explained that the specific actions vary in their scope and timeline. Some of the projects included may be pilot projects, some may be smaller one-off initiatives, while other projects like the electrification of the school bus fleet could take up to a decade to complete. Each of the actions outlined are intended to be measurable, so progress can be can accurately monitored and reported on. He noted that each April they hope to come to the Board and provide an update on the progress made.

Several trustees complimented the plan, all the good work being done by the group, and how it well it aligns with the District’s Strategic Plan.

Transportation Survey
Superintendent Donna Kriger reported to the Board that over 800 responses were received from the recent Transportation Review Survey. This feedback will be incorporated alongside recommendations currently being developed by external transportation experts as part of the ongoing review process. No changes are anticipated for the 2025–26 school year, aside from routine route adjustments due to the addition of new students and the removal of those no longer requiring transportation services. Public engagement on transportation matters will resume again in the fall.

Trustee Amanda Krebs thanked all the families that participated in the survey and noted it was very good feedback for the external consultants. Grayston emphasized that the Board has not made any decisions, particularly around fees. “As has been said there is no intention to implement change next year. We are just gathering information and perspectives.”

Increase to School Fees
After several years of maintaining school fees, an increase was approved by trustees. Superintendent Donna Kriger noted at the January 21, 2025, board meeting, trustees were informed that school principals found the existing fee structure inadequate due to rising costs of services and supplies. Since then, principals have engaged with their respective Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) to develop updated fee structures that reflect current financial realities.

She noted the new fee structure includes a modest increase, all of which have been approved by PACs. She added that fees for optional and extra-curricular activities will be determined at the discretion of the school principal and must comply with Regulation 8020.02R – School Fees and Financial Hardship .

Feeding Futures Celebration
Feeding Futures Coordinator Serena Caner said although the meals program looks slightly different in each school, there is an incredible team of SD83 school meal workers going way beyond to build connections with students and help with food security. In her update to the Board, Caner commented that they are feeding 1,200 students breakfast every day and another 500 lunch or a lunch top up. They have “Souper” Meals (soup, bun and veggies) at the majority of schools each month. This is provided free of charge by the Shuswap Food Action Society.

Caner explained to trustees that much of the food provided is sourced from local or BC Farms and community businesses. She noted that approximately 95 percent of the program’s food budget remains within SD83’s communities. They made a conscious decision to support local producers and businesses.

She also shared what they have learned from the School Food Group and Learning Circles, including that many vulnerable families send whatever food they can for their children to eat at school. “The judgement that a lot of families feel is not helpful,” she said.

Caner, who is being sought after provincially to help other districts with their programs, was thanked by Kriger and the trustees for her efforts. “We are so lucky to have you,” added Kriger.
More Information Here

South Canoe Outdoor Learning School Program Review
Director of Instruction Jen Findlay presented the South Canoe Outdoor Learning School Program Review to the Board for information. She noted that from the program’s inception seven years ago it has part of the plan to do a review, celebrate the wonderful things that are happening, look at areas where growth should occur, and determine next steps.

Findlay commented that surveys were given to students, staff, and families and there was a great response. She also interviewed 39 students individually. Results include:

Recommendations for next steps include:

Presentation Slides

Five Year Major Capital Plan Submission
The Board approved the 2026/27 Major Capital Plan submission to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The two projects being requested are for modulars at Salmon Arm Secondary (estimated at $38,755,850) and an addition to the gym at Len Wood Middle (estimated at $11,125,840).

Hunt explained to trustees that the District follows an extensive evaluation process to determine capital projects for board consideration. Administration has met with the Ministry’s Capital Management Branch to review all potential projects that relate to reconfiguring to a Kindergarten to Grade 7 and Grades 8 to 12 model.

These projects would meet the requirements of the Expansion Program (EXP); specifically, we are submitting a project for Ministry consideration to support additional spaces using modular construction methods to be more cost effective and require less design and construction time than traditional school expansions. The Planning Officer from the Ministry’s Capital Management Branch (Major Capital Projects Unit) for our District has done a walking tour at all five of the school sites that could potentially have project requests under the various reconfiguration options. Based on all the information that we have gathered and after careful consideration of our needs, we are recommending the project that we believe will have the greatest chance of support from the Ministry.

Director of Operations Travis Elwood explained to trustees that although the $38 million for Salmon Arm Secondary seems like quite a staggering number, it is actually a provincial formula based on the number of student spaces being added. “We don’t get an opportunity to change that number.” He noted that only later, when it gets to serious consideration, that local costings will be done.

Hunt also explained that the Len Wood gym is based on an elementary school and this funding would be used for an addition to increase the size to be more fitting for middle school students.
Capital Plan Submission

Annual Facilities Grant
The District’s $2,374,145 Annual Facilities Grant spending plan was approved by the Board and will now go to the Ministry of Education and Child Care. These funds are intended for annual facility projects required to maintain and extend the life of district facilities. The funding request includes projects throughout the District including asbestos abatement, improving accessibility, interior construction, roofing, electrical and HVAC. Districts receive notification of their actual AFG funding in March and work must be completed in that fiscal year.

Trip to France
A trip to France for Pleasant Valley Secondary School (PVSS) students in 2026 was approved in principle by the Board of Education at Tuesday’s meeting.

Teacher Janet Gillis, who has organized many school trips, is planning on taking a group of students at Spring Break 2026. The trip, which is designed to give students an opportunity to use the French language, learn about the culture, and visit many historic sites will include time in Paris, Nice, and Vimy Ridge. Priority will be given to French students; however, it is open to all PVSS students. She told trustees the trip will be similar to the school’s previous trip, with some minor adjustments. She added that this is not a “sit by the pool” trip but rather a “26,000 step a day” adventure.
Trip Information Here

Trustee Variation
Superintendent Kriger updated the Board on the trustee variation survey. Earlier in the year, the Board directed senior staff to conduct a survey regarding trustee variation. The survey was distributed to the four Secwépemc First Nation Chief and Councils, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, municipal councils, key stakeholders, and staff for their input. Over 300 individuals responded. The feedback collected will help inform any future request to the Ministry of Education and Child Care to increase the number of trustees in School District No. 83. The survey results will be compiled and presented to the Board of Education for review and consideration. If the Board decides to move forward with a trustee variation, a formal submission must be sent to the Minister of Education and Child Care by October 31, 2025.

Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk said moving from five to seven trustees would spread the workload out a bit but her main concern isn’t the workload but the fact that with five it is sometimes difficult to have a quorum. “Sometimes there are just three of us making very impactful decisions. Only three voices rather than five, six, or seven. That’s why I feel five isn’t quite enough.”

Grayston commented she can see it from both sides – the budget impacts and the need to look at the District from a larger lens and recognize how many times they haven’t had a quorum. “Sometimes we get very close to where we can’t make a decision as a Board and that can have big consequences. But, I’m as frugal as the day is long so I look at the bottom dollar perspective as well.”

The Board will continue this discussion in September.

Krebs added that in the feedback, the Board got a comment about In-Camera meetings. She noted that In-Camera meetings deal with confidential information to do with land, labour, and law. She noted that with a large organization like the school district, these meetings are necessary to do the work of the district.

Board Policy
The Board of Education unanimously approved the second and final reading of Policy 135 Trustee Attendance . The new policy, designed to support effective governance and strengthen public accountability, recommends a $400 adjustment to trustee remuneration for each meeting missed outside of the approved guidelines. This approach underscores the importance of consistent participation and helps ensure that trustee responsibilities are appropriately aligned with compensation. The adjustment is intended to reflect the value placed on regular engagement and to reinforce public confidence in the Board’s commitment to responsible stewardship, rather than to serve as a punitive measure.

Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Donna Kriger celebrated A.L. Fortune’s Sy Korf, who won gold at the National Skills Canada competition in Regina in May and said his amazing accomplishment represents the many accomplishments of other SD83 students over the year.

She noted that June is a great time for reflections and it has been a year of great joy and profound loss. It is also a year where she has witnessed extra compassion, unity, courage, kindness, grace, and commitment to learning and growing together. She expressed her thanks to students, families, staff, Rightsholders, and stakeholders for working together through change. She wished everyone an amazing and happy summer.

Kriger also congratulated and thanked two retirees in attendance at the meeting, Darrell Jones and Alice Hucul. Jones, a counsellor with the Splatsin Band, is the chair of the Quelmúcw Education Council. He is also a founding member of the council when it was established many years ago. Kriger thanked him for his wisdom, powerful voice, unwaivering commitment, and heartfelt advocacy for Indigenous students. It was the final Board of Education meeting for Hucul, who is the District’s Communications’ Specialist. She has been sharing stories about the District, students, programs, and the Board in newsletters, the website and social media, for the past 36 years.

Game Design 10
The Board gave approval to introduce Game Design 10 as a Board/Authority Authorized Course. This course will be offered at Salmon Arm Secondary, which already has courses for Game Design at the Grade 11 & 12 level. Game Design 10 will introduce students to foundational principles and practices of the game development process, and provide a strong educational platform for further study or career exploration in this dynamic, fast-growing field.

Through hands-on learning and project-based activities, students will explore both the artistic and programming sides of game creation. This will include research, digital art and design, animation, coding, and interface development while examining what makes a game engaging and successful.

2025/26 Board Annual Work Plan
Board Chair Corryn Grayston presented the Board Annual Work Plan for the upcoming year.

Board Committee Assignments
The 2025-26 Board Committee assignments have been set:

• Education Directions – Chair Marianne VanBuskirk with alternate Corryn Grayston
• Finance & Facilities/Audit – Chair Amanda Krebs with alternate Brent Gennings
• Labour Relations – Chair Corryn Grayston with Vice Chair Tennile Lachmuth as alternate
• Policy Committee – Chair Brent Gennings with Amanda Krebs as alternate

VanBuskirk will be committee chair and Krebs alternate for the budget advisory, Lachmuth will be the trustee rep and VanBuskirk the alternate for Quelmúcw Education Council, and Gennings will be the committee rep, with Lachmuth as alternate, for the transportation committee.

VanBuskirk will be the trustee rep on the French Advisory Committee and the City of Salmon Arm Active Transportation Committee. Grayston will be the rep on the Shuswap Community Foundation Hiring Committee.

Education Directions
Committee Chair Marianne VanBuskirk expressed thanks to the committee members for a very interesting year focused on education, adding it was really nice to have Indigenous and student representatives on the committee this year. The committee will meet again in November.

Finance & Facilities/Audit
Committee Chair Amanda Krebs reported that at the committee meeting they discussed the annual budget bylaw, the five year capital plan submission, the annual facilities grant submission, and the quarterly financial report.

Policy Committee
The Board repealed three policies as it continues its work of updating the Policy Manual. The policies appealed include Policy 360 Student Admission, Policy 460 Opioid Overdose Prevention, and Policy 9020 Student Residency Requirements. These policies are now replaced with administrative procedures.

Committee of the Whole
Chair Grayston reported that a Committee of the Whole meeting was held on June 3, focusing on the 2025-26 Preliminary Budget. After the meeting a public question and answer period on the budget was held.

Quelmúcw Education Council
VanBuskirk reported there was a full agenda when the Council met on June 4, including a report from Superintendent Donna Kriger, an update on the Indigenous Day of Learning, and information on the budget. With the retirement of Quelmúcw Education Council Chair Darrell Jones, there was discussion on next year’s chair. “I’d like to recognize Darrell and the impact he has had. He’ll be missed.”

Trustee Reports
Trustee Gennings reported on his attendance at the A.L. Fortune graduation and Indigenous Education graduation, which he described as two really amazing events.

Trustee VanBuskirk thanked PACs for all the fundraising they do for schools, citing two recent examples of the Bastion and Hillcrest carnivals. She also noted the official opening of the walkway that goes from near the RCMP station in Salmon Arm down to Jackson, the Indigenous graduation ceremony, the District elementary track meet, and the Knowledge Keepers lunch.

Upcoming Dates
• National Indigenous Peoples’ Day – June 21, 2025
• Board of Education Meeting – September 23, 2025 at 6 p.m. at DESC