The Board of Education Highlights provide updates and brief summaries of decisions made during the monthly Board Meetings. For more information, visit the District website to view the full agenda and videostream of the meeting: www.sd61.bc.ca/board-of-education/meetings-of-the-board/
Board Meeting Highlights – February/March 2023
Amended Annual Budget
The Secretary-Treasurer presented the $298,487,489 amended annual budget for the 2022/23 school year, and the Board gave three readings of the budget bylaw. The amended budget took into consideration an increase in student enrolment, and the operating expenses associated with increased enrolment such as staffing and supplies.
Each year, the Ministry of Education and Child Care require School Boards to prepare and approve amended budgets. The Amended Annual Budget considers the revenues and the expenses arising from the actual September 29, 2022 student enrolment, all grant amounts confirmed after the approval of the Annual Budget and amounts carried forward from the previous fiscal year that will be spent in the current year.
Proposed School Year Calendars
The Board approved the proposed 2023/24 and 2024/25 school year calendars to be published on the District website and solicited for public feedback for 30 days. The District is seeking input on the proposed calendars until March 31, 2023, at 4 p.m. All input can be sent in via community@sd61.bc.ca. To review the proposed calendars, visit: https://www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/calendars/proposed-2023-2024-2024-2025-school-year-calendar/
Sanctuary School Policy
The Board approved a motion referring the Policy Sub Committee to consider a Sanctuary School Policy and to review sanctuary policies implemented in other Districts. A Sanctuary School Policy would ensure all students have the right to access public schools in Greater Victoria. The Board requested recommendations to come forward in May 2023.
Program Accreditation and Evaluation
The Board approved a motion referring the Policy Sub Committee to examine the process and guidelines in place for Program Accreditation and Evaluation. The Board is seeking if provisions are required to Policy and Regulation 6162.8 – District Assessment of Program and Students, and if so, to provide recommendations to the Board.
Consultation Policy 1163
The Board approved a motion referring the Policy Sub Committee to review the process and guidelines in place for Consultation. The Board is seeking if provisions are required to Policy 1163 – Consultation, and if so, to provide recommendations to the Board.
Letter of Advocacy
The Board approved a motion to write a letter to the Ministry of Education and Child Care advocating for additional funding to allow teachers time to plan, collaborate and learn together. In addition, the letter will request that the Ministry provide resources to successfully deliver the new Indigenous-focused courses, which are now grad requirements.
Spending Freeze
The Board directed the Superintendent to implement a district-wide spending freeze for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year, effective immediately, to help address the estimated $4 million deficit for the 2023/24 school year.
The next Board meeting will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023.