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/
Board Meeting Highlights – March 2020
Policies for Abandonment
The Policy Sub-Committee recommended abandonment or reclassification of specific policies. The Committee has been reviewing the policy manual for relevance and currency while verifying that the manual reflects policies and regulations of the Board, not administrative procedures.
The Board voted for the abandonment of the following Policies: 4117, 4122, 4210.1 4302, 5118.4, 5119.5, 5125,5125.1. Policy 5118.3 was referred to the Superintendent for consideration in the administrative manual.
To review these policies visit (p. 54): www.sd61.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/91/2020/02/March-2-2020-Combined-Ed-Policy-Operations-Policy-Meeting-Pack-Up-1.pdf
Advocacy Letter
The Board of Education approved a letter drafted by the Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee to send to the Minister of Education, Premier and the Treasury Board that emphasizes financial pressures in the School District. The letter advocates for additional funding and resources to be applied in focused areas to improve student success. It requests the Ministry of Education increase the 2020-21 per pupil amount to:
- Increase the resourcing of StrongStart Centres
- Supplement the implementation of the new curriculum through one-time funding for instructional supplies
- Fund compensation increases for exempt staff approved by BCPSEA
- Further support student mental health initiatives
- Provide targeted monies to fund initiatives to increase the success of Children in Care
The Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee was established by the Board to help develop action plans that support effective advocacy on issues facing public education.
Victoria High Amenities Spending Approval
In November, the Board of Education approved a land exchange and lease with government partners, which is providing the School District with an additional $1.5 – $1.9 million to put towards potential amenities and enhancements at Victoria High. This funding is in addition to the $77.1 million provided by the Ministry for seismic improvements and an expansion of the current school.
On Monday, the Board of Education approved budget allocations for the additional amenities and enhancements. The finalized amenities and enhancements come after assessing input collected from current and future students, current and future parents, staff, alumni, and Victoria residents.
The Board voted to spend approximately $1.1 million on additional school enhancements, which include new spaces for physical education and health learning, a multipurpose observatory deck, improvements to the memorial stadium and theatre, and additional upgrades to the gymnasiums. Any remaining funding will be considered for exterior school ground improvements.
For the full summary engagement report and details on the school enhancements visit: www.sd61.bc.ca/news-events/community/vic-high-planning-for-the-future/
Spectrum Turf and Rink Project (STAR)
The Board approved a motion to write a letter to Saanich Parks and Recreation that supports the STAR Working Committee’s task of consulting with neighbours and partners in its business case research for the proposed project at Spectrum. The letter would also request that Saanich Parks and Recreation consider the proposed project in its feasibility study, recognizing the Board’s commitment to the project is not decided.