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 – February 2021
Oaklands’ Student Achievement Presentation
Oaklands Elementary School’s Principal and Vice-Principal presented how the school is aligning the school’s work with the District’s strategic plan, which seeks to create more culturally responsive schools. The school’s Principal and Vice-Principal shared how they are weaving First Peoples Principles of Learning into their practices with a focus on collaboration, and strengthening relationships and building a sense of community.
The Principal and Vice-Principal provided an update on the Oaklands Totem/Legacy Pole Project. Since 2018, carver Carey Newman has been working with the Oaklands community to carve a totem pole on the school grounds. The goal is to raise the totem pole in May 2021.
Early Literacy
The Board referred to the 2021-2022 budget process, a proposal for an annual elementary school investment in literacy according to each school’s unique needs. This approved motion came forward through the Education Policy & Directions Committee from the Equity Committee. The Equity Committee examined a variety of early literacy programs before making the recommendation. The proposal is for a four-year investment that would provide additional funding for all 28 elementary schools to advance their literacy programs. If advanced in the 2021-2022 preliminary budget, schools will have the flexibility to spend funds in alignment with the school’s growth plan and the District’s strategic plan.
The proposed four-year literacy plan budget:
- 2021-2022 – $530,000
- 2022-2023 – $575,000
- 2023-2024 – $282,000
- 2024-2025 – $267,000
The preliminary budget is scheduled to be approved by the end of April.
Proposed 2021/2022 Calendar for Feedback
The Board advanced publishing its proposed 2021/2022 school calendar for the next 30 days for feedback. To review the proposed calendar and share your input: www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/calendars/proposed-2021-2022-school-calendar/
Vic High Cameras
A motion was approved to install four video surveillance cameras at Vic High while the school undergoes seismic upgrades. The motion came forward after reports of ongoing damage and vandalism surrounding the construction site and several attempts of people trying to get inside.
Improvements near Victoria High Site
The Board approved two readings of Victoria High School Right of Way Bylaw 2021. The Bylaw involves road frontage improvements to sidewalks, curbs and gutters on Grant, Gladstone and Fernwood. A Special Board Meeting was held on February 25th, where the Board approved the third reading of the bylaw.
Amended Annual Budget
The Financial Services Department presented the $268,408,578 amended annual budget and the Board gave three readings of the budget bylaw. The amended budget takes into consideration an enrolment decrease as well as new sources of funding: Safe Return to School Fund, Federal Safe Return to Class Grant, and Early Career Mentorship funding.
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