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 – October 2020
Trustee Committee Assignments
The Board Chair provided an update on trustee committee and working group assignments. Many committees were put on pause due to COVID-19, however, regular committee operations are resuming in the 2020-2021 school year.
BCSTA – A Resource Guide for Trustees
As part of the Board Chair’s Report, the BCSTA’s Rights and Responsibilities – Resource Guide was shared with all Trustees. The document outlines the role and responsibilities of a Board and an individual trustee. Contents of the guide include but are not limited to: fiduciary duties, defined roles and responsibilities, conduct and conflict resolution.
Spectrum Artificial Turf Field Project
The Board voted to support an artificial turf field at Spectrum Secondary in principle for up to two years, as long as it is at no cost to the Board.
Advocacy Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference for the Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee was approved by Board. The committee will create and monitor action plans to advocate for a variety of topics in public education, including funding, service provision, curriculum governance and public engagement. To review the full terms of reference: www.sd61.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2020/10/Advocacy-Ad-Hoc-Committee-Terms-of-Reference.pdf
BCSTA – Enhancing Student Learning Reporting Order
In September 2020, an Enhancing Student Learning Reporting Order came into effect. The order requires Boards of Education to prepare and submit a report to the Minister outlining student performance. This is part of the Board’s commitment to continuous improvement of student success. The report must include reporting on the following categories:
- Indigenous students living on reserve and off reserve
- Children and youth in care
- Students with disabilities or diverse abilities
Enrolment Update
The Secretary-Treasurer provided an update on student enrolment. Student enrolment is down approximately 300 students from the District’s spring projections. In comparison to the previous school year’s enrolment, the District has seen a reduction in 290 students. Resulting from the enrolment decline, the operating grant is estimated to be $2.6m less than projected. The operating grant shortfall will be covered by the $2.5m COVID Contingency the Board set aside in the 2019-2020 surplus appropriation approved in September.
To learn more about the Board’s upcoming work and to prepare for upcoming conversations, please visit the Board’s Annual Work Plan: www.sd61.bc.ca/board-of-education/governance-framework-and-annual-work-plan/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa McPhail
Communications & Community Engagement
Office: 250.475.4103