The Board of Education Highlights provide updates on presentations and decisions made during the Board Meetings. For more information, please visit our District website where you can view the full agenda and video stream of the meeting: www.sd61.bc.ca/board-of-education/meetings-of-the-board/
Board Meeting Highlights – December 2021 | January 2022
Local Education Agreement – Esquimalt Nation
In December, the Board signed its first Local Education Agreement with Esquimalt Nation. The agreement serves as a roadmap setting out specific goals while defining success, and outlines the respective roles in improving educational outcomes and graduation rates. For more information: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/news/title/greater-victoria-school-board-signs-first-local-education-agreement-with-esquimalt-nation/
Climate Action Ad Hoc Committee
The Board directed the Interim Superintendent to establish an Ad Hoc Climate Action Committee. The Committee will assist in co-developing and implementing the District’s Climate Action Plan. The purpose of the committee and plan is to outline steps to be taken in the Greater Victoria School District to address the climate emergency. The Committee will deliver its recommendations to the Board by May 2023.
BCSTA – AGM Approved Motions
The Board approved two motions for the BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) Annual General Meeting. The first motion requests the BCSTA advocate to remove BC Hydro’s 100kW net metering cap in place by BC Hydro and the BC Utilities Commission. The metering cap prohibits investment into 100% renewable energy infrastructure such as solar panel technology. As it stands now, school districts cannot build fully net-zero energy buildings, leaving new schools to rely on natural gas as an energy backup.
The second motion requests the BCSTA to ask the Province to amend the Motor Vehicle Act to further support safe active transportation. The motion advocates for drivers to be required to provide one metre of space on roads with posted speeds of 50 km/hour or less and 1.5 metres of space on streets over 50 km/hour when passing people cycling or walking.
New Course – Sports Psychology 12
The Board approved a new Board Authority Authorized (BAA) Course focused on personal growth through sport for grade 12 students. Sports Psychology 12 will empower students to recognize the transferable nature of sport to their everyday lives and weave in First Peoples Principles of Learning. It will align with post-secondary programs at Camosun and UVic, including Sports and Fitness Leadership, Athletic and Exercise Therapy, Counselling, Recreation and Health Education, and Psychology.
Lansdowne Middle School – South Campus Land Disposal
The Board gave the first two readings of the Partial Disposal Bylaw 2022 for a parcel of land located at Lansdowne Middle School – South Campus. In December, the Board was provided with a summary engagement report including input from the community regarding the potential sale of 1.9 acres of land to the Victoria Hospice Society. The third reading of the Bylaw will be considered by the Board on February 28, 2022.
Cedar Hill Middle School Replacement Project: Visioning Engagement Report
In December, the Board reviewed the consultation report provided by KMBR – Architects Planner Inc. The report summarized all the input provided by students, staff and community on design elements they would like to include in the new replacement build of Cedar Hill Middle School.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
In December, the Board considered a vaccination mandate for employees. The Board will not be implementing a vaccine mandate. In January, a new public health order was put in effect where Medical Health Officers could order school districts to have their staff disclose their vaccination status if required.