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 28, 2022
BC Public School Employers’ Association Representative
The annual election for the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) Representative took place. Tom Ferris was acclaimed to represent the Greater Victoria School District.
Proposed 2022-23 School Year Calendar
The Board advanced the proposed 2022-23 school year calendar for community input. The District is inviting feedback from staff, students and families via community@sd61.bc.ca until March 30, 2022, at 4 p.m. To review the calendar: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/calendars/proposed-2023-2023-school-calendar/
Amended 2021-2022 Budget
The Board approved the amended budget for the 2021-22 school year. Each year, a preliminary budget is set in the Spring and followed up with an amended budget in February of the current school year. Every District is required to submit an amended budget that is reflective of September’s updated student enrolment, corresponding revenue updates and surplus appropriations.
Lansdowne Land Disposal Update
The Board deferred the decision on the sale of 1.9 acres of land at Lansdowne Middle School – South Campus to Victoria Hospice Society to the next Board Meeting on March 14, 2022. At this time, the third reading of the Disposal Bylaw will be on the agenda.
In January, the Board gave the first two readings on the Disposal Bylaw. If approved, the property would be used as a new Centre of Excellence for Victoria Hospice, with space for expanded services including grief support, community education, and practical programs for people on their end-of-life journey – from those diagnosed with a life-limiting illness to those who are bereaved. For more information: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/news/title/victoria-hospice-society-to-purchase-property-from-greater-victoria-school-district/
Draft Compost and Waste Policy
The motion directing the Superintendent to draft a Compost and Waste Policy was tabled to the next Operations Policy and Planning Meeting.
BCSTA Membership
A motion put forward for the Board to not renew its membership with the BC School Trustee Association did not pass.
Petition the Minister – Reduction of Trustees
A motion was brought forward to petition the Minister of Education to reduce the number of trustees on the Board of Education from nine elected officials to seven. The motion was referred to the combined Education Policy and Directions & Operations Policy and Planning Meeting on March 7, 2022.