Synopsis of May 20, 2025, Regular Board Meeting

Annual Budget Receives First Reading
The Board gave first reading to the 2025-26 Annual Budget Bylaw for $111,350,263. This amount includes the operating fund, special purpose funds, and the capital fund.

Acting Secretary-Treasurer Jeremy Hunt explains that, as mentioned previously, the District is projecting an enrolment decrease of 113 full-time equivalency (FTE) which means approximately a million dollars in reduced funding. “This is mainly driven by a larger group of graduates and a smaller group of Kindergarten students. We are hoping this number increases but what actually happens in September remains to be seen.” He added they are also expecting a 20 FTE reduction in special needs funding, which will be close to another $300,000 in reductions to plan for.

After going through the budget with trustees, Hunt is projecting about $176,000, which can be used for budget priorities. Also, there may be some surplus for this year which could be put towards the priorities; however, he said they won’t know this for sure until later in the year.

Items identified as budget priorities included succession planning with a District Principal of Learning Technology and Innovation, having early childhood educators in each Kindergarten classroom, reducing the amount of time a Principal teaches if they are the only administrator in the school, adding library clerk time, adding time for teachers who take on positions of special responsibility in a school, for example sports director.

A Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on June 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the District Education Support Centre (DESC) to further discuss the budget. This meeting is open to the public and there will be a question and answer period on the budget after the meeting concludes. The budget will then come to the June 17, 2025, Board of Education meeting for second and final reading.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

Right Of Way For Trails
The Board has given approval to a bylaw that grants a right of way for a new urban trail connection near J.L. Jackson Secondary School The bylaw, which passed through three readings, enabled the extension of the trail network from the highway underpass to the existing path at McGuire Lake Park. The request was brought to the Board last fall by the City of Salmon Arm and the Trail Alliance. At that time, it received approval in principle.

2025/26 Capital Projects Approved
The Board gave three readings and approval to the 2025/26 Capital Plan bylaw for three projects as well as seven school buses (six C76 internal combustion engines buses and one electric C76 bus).

The projects approved by the Ministry to proceed are:

• $1,225,000 to upgrade Carlin Elementary Middle’s HVAC System through the School Enhancement Program;
• $500,000 to upgrade Pleasant Valley Secondary’s HVAC system through the Carbon Neutral Capital Program; and,
• $200,000 for Sorrento Elementary for universally accessible playground equipment through the Playground Equipment Program.

Transportation Review
Director of Operations Travis Elwood reported to the Board that School Bus Training Ltd. has been contracted to conduct a review of SD83’s Transportation Department. The review, which is scheduled for early June, will include bus route efficiency, dispatch and work assignments, mechanic shop and maintenance programs, staff workload and assignments, and fee for service implementation options. There will also be a survey going out to parents and caregivers asking for feedback.

Trustee Variation
The Board passed a motion to begin consultation on whether SD83 would be better served with more trustees. At the March regular meeting, the Board reviewed a recommendation from the Watson Report on trustee representation and were also presented with some comparisons from similarly-sized BC school districts. To initiate a trustee variation the District must follow a process outlined in Section 30(4) in the School Act which includes consultation with families, local government, and First Nations. At the meeting, the Board passed a motion to initiate the trustee variance process and to put together a survey to collect feedback.

Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Kriger highlighted the work connected to the Strategic Priorities of intellectual development, human and social development, career development, community partnership development, organizational development, and effective governance and leadership.

The Indigenous Day of Learning held on May 5, 2025, at many locations throughout the District was a spectacular day, reported Kriger to trustees. All District employees were engaged in the learning and feedback was very positive. The day was co-planned with Rightsholders and offered staff meaningful opportunities to engage in land-based or place-based learning rooted in Indigenous education, while also fostering relationship building with local Secwepemc communities.

Kindergarten orientation sessions are taking place, offering families a chance to prepare for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Kriger thanked Vice Principal of Early Learning, Allison de Boer, and Director of Instruction, Jen Findlay, for their efforts in organizing the successful events (dates available here). In addition to the in-person sessions, de Boer and Findlay hosted a recorded online orientation for families, which is now available on the District website. To help build community and connection, each student entering kindergarten will receive a District t-shirt.

The Little Mountain Stomp was held on April 30, 2025, drawing 1,300 student to the park trails for the day of outdoor activity and community spirit. Superintendent Kriger extended heartfelt thanks to the organizers and volunteers for the tremendous of amount of work involved in coordinating such a large-scale event. She also commended the thoughtful inclusion of a para event for students of diverse abilities.

The District’s first Environmental Expo, held at Piccadilly Mall, was a success and a strong example of effective community partnerships. Superintendent Kriger expressed appreciation to the organizers and contributors who made the event meaningful for students. The Expo showcased student learning and innovative teaching practices focused on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and climate action.

Two A.L. Fortune Drumlines claimed top place in their categories at the B.C. Drumline Championships held at A.L Fortune on May 3, 2025. Seventeen Drumlines from nine schools across B.C. participated. The A.L. Fortune Senior Drumline (BarbieLand Show) earned top spot in the intermediate class while the A.L. Fortune Junior Drumline (Boots and White Colours) earned first in the Concert Class. Kriger extended her thanks to Vice Principal of District Music Michelle Reed, and music teachers Colin MacDonald and Nadia Sorban.

Superintendent Kriger extended congratulations to all students who represented the School District at the Skills Canada regional and provincial events, with a special congratulations and best wishes to A.L. Fortune student Sy Korf. Sy won gold in auto collision repair at Provincials and will represent SD83 at the national competition in Regina, Saskatchewan, on May 29-30, 2025. A gold medal there would qualify him for the World Skills competition in China.

Two students participated in a provincial public speaking event for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Julia Couch of Shuswap Middle School placed third in her category, while Bella Karbowski of Len Wood narrowly missed the top three in hers. Congratulations to both students and to teacher Kristina Baker for making this opportunity possible.

Superintendent Kriger expressed condolences to the friends and family of Lloyd Charlie (husband of Delores Purdaby) from the Neskonlith Indian Band, and Donna Williams (daughter of Lucy Williams) of the Adams Lake Indian Band. “Both families have had a tremendous impact and we send our heartfelt condolences.”

Superintendent Kriger concluded her report with a tribute to Jonathon Bruce, a Grade 12 student from Salmon Arm Secondary who recently died in a hiking accident. Jonathon is remembered as a kind, compassionate, and adventurous young man. He was a junior firefighter, a regular visitor to the IEP program at Salmon Arm Secondary, and someone that loved the mountain. The School District and trustees extended their heartfelt condolences to Jonathon’s family and friends.

The Superintendent Report PowerPoint is accessible, here .

Music Program Update
Vice Principal of District Music Michelle Reed took the Board on a musical journey highlighting music, band, and choir programs across the District. She explained to trustees that a recent UBC Report, working with BC high school students, showed that students highly engaged in music were, on average, academically over one year ahead of their peers not engaged in school music. She also shared some quotes from local students talking about how music helps their mental health, manage stress levels, communicate with others, and is the reason they keep coming to school!

Reed explained that since the 1980s a significant portion of SD83’s elementary teacher’s prep time is provided by students getting music instruction. While showing videos and photos, Reed explained that in SD83 young students do music, theory, learn how to keep the beat, play recorder, ukulele and Orff instruments. She highlighted an upcoming folk music with hoops showcase at South Broadview.

Continuing with the photos and video she talked about the middle school program with guitar in Grade 6 and band in Grade 7, and choir at lunch. At the high school level the opportunities expand with music electives. She highlighted Eagle River’s first ever drumline class, Jackson’s jazz band participating in the BC Interior Jazz Festival, PVSS’ music trip to Nelson, A.L. Fortune’s Musical Theatre, the Drumline provincials, SAS’s first-ever Rock Band class, the Big Band Dance and more. She wrapped her presentation up by describing some of the recent work to help students explore careers in the many areas of the music industry.
READ REPORT HERE

2025/26 District Internal Administrative Calendar
The Board adopted the 2025/26 Internal Administrative Calendar and Board Meeting Schedule , as amended. Regular Board meetings will continue at 6 p.m. at the District Education Support Centre.

Trustee Attendance
The Board gave first reading to proposed updates to Policy 135 Trustee Attendance, which would include a $400 deduction from a trustee’s remuneration for each meeting missed without valid reasons as outlined in guidelines 3 and 4 (Board business or special situations).

Trustee Amanda Krebs noted that the proposal was inspired by a discussion at the BCSTA AGM, where Canadian School Board Association President emphasized the importance of trustees being committed to public education. He encouraged trustees, who are considering not running again, to begin succession planning early to ensure strong successors.

Krebs explained that the $400 deduction was calculated by dividing the trustee honourarium by the typical number of monthly meetings. She suggested piloting the policy for one year, with potential revisions before the next election.

The draft policy is posted for public feedback until June 17, 2025, at noon.

Education Directions
Committee Chair Marianne VanBuskirk reported on the final Education Directions Committee for the school year, held on May 7, 2025. At the meeting, Director of Instruction Jen Findlay presented a new K-12 literacy support initiative and introduced the Communicating With Your School – A Guide for Families, developed in conjunction with the District Parent Advisory Council.

Finance and Facilities / Audit Committee
Trustee Krebs reported that the Committee met on May 7, 2025, and discussed facility updates, HVAC assessments, the five year capital plan, and were updated on the quarterly financials .

Labour Relations
Board Chair Corryn Grayston reported that the Labour Relations Committee met on May 13, 2025, and three items were discussed.

Partner Group Liaison
Board Chair Grayston reported that the Committee met on May 15, 2025. There was good discussion on the agenda items. She added it was the final meeting of the school year and noted she is quite pleased with the discussions held by this group and what was accomplished.

Committee of the Whole
The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on June 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the DESC, focusing on the Preliminary 2025/26 Annual Budget. A public question and answer period on the budget will follow the meeting. The session will be recorded and posted on the SD83 website.

Chair Grayson noted that the May 6, 2025, meeting included good discussions.

BC School Trustee’s Association Annual General Meeting
Trustee Marianne VanBuskirk provided a written summary on the BCSTA AGM, held April 24-26, 2025, in Vancouver. She, along with Vice Chair Tennile Lachmuth and Trustee Amanda Krebs attended the event. Trustees suggested that the BCSTA consider adopting a hybrid model to enable broader virtual participation. Trustees also discussed the informative sessions that they attended.

BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch Meeting
The Board discussed the upcoming BCSTA Thompson-Okanagan Branch meeting in Kamloops in October. Trustees will determine their availability and then decide how many will attend.

Quelmúcw Education Council
Trustee Lachmuth reported on the April 20, 2025, Quelmúcw Education Council meeting, which featured a full agenda. The Council provided feedback on new Early Learning Funding and the SD83 Environmental Action Plan. The upcoming Indigenous Graduation Ceremony on May 28, 2025, will celebrate the largest graduating cohort to date. The meeting also included discussions on staffing, budgeting, and planning for a governance retreat for the fall.

Indigenous Day of Learning
Chelsea Prince, Assistant Superintendent of Indigenous Education and Student Supports, reported to trustees about the successful land-based Indigenous Day of Learning which SD83 staff took part in on May 5, 2025.

Approximately 1,200 District employees took part in the learning day at 10 different sites. Planning for the event started last October with learning intentions at the core.

At Kingfisher Interpretive Centre staff rotated through activities including one with Marion and Lawrence Lee telling stories and teach about Secwepemc history in the Kekuli. Gloria Morgan led participants through a forest bathing activity, and other activities included learning about invasive plant species, planting as an act of reciprocity, and salmon learning. Laureen and Edna Felix, after leading the opening, also guided participants at a station that focused on learning about the importance of the salmon and the river to the Secwepemc people. 

J.L. Jackson staff engaged in activities such as storytelling with Ralph McBryan, learning how to make pine needle baskets with Diane Jewel, taking part in preparing a hide with Fawn Herrington and Grace Bose (IEW’s), an interpretive plant walk with Tekki Brown-Hryniw using the plant identification cards, archery, and Indigenous games. Because the day took place on Red Dress Day, they recognized the day with a moment of silence and hanging red dresses from some trees. 

Prince said staff participated in a survey to collect feedback and they had many very positive responses. For next year, they have again chosen a day in early May as the 2025-2026 Indigenous Day of Learning, because it is an ideal time of year to be on the land and to be outside. “While our planning committee will meet again early in the next school year, our initial thinking is that schools will be rotated to a different location to engage in different learning. We also expect that we will have additional ideas for places to go, and perhaps more opportunities to work with communities.”
VIEW REPORT HERE

Trustee Reports
Trustee VanBuskirk reported that she found the Red Dress Ceremony and Walk at J.L. Jackson Secondary deeply moving. The day featured knowledge keepers (five generations of one family), hands-on activities, and a walk around the lake. She also attended the May 8, 2025, French Advisory meeting, led by Megan Weir, acting principal at Salmon Arm West, and the J.L. Jackson PAC meeting, where a new constitution is being developed. She informed the Board that the official opening of the new multi-use path that runs from J.L. Jackson to across from the RCMP building, will take place on May 24, 2025, at 9 a.m. She also shared that school carnivals at Bastion and Hillcrest are scheduled for May 23, 2025, serving as a huge fundraiser for both schools. She also highlighted that the Intergenerational Choir will perform for the community on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Chair Corryn Grayston added that Carlin Elementary Middle School’s annual Carlin Country Market will be held on May 24, 2025. It is the school’s primary fundraiser and offers a variety of family-friendly activities.

Upcoming Dates
June 3 – Committee of the Whole meeting at 5 p.m. at the DESC
June 17 – Regular Board Meeting at 6 p.m. at the DESC