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/
Recognition of School Trustees
The three trustees who did not seek re-election, Board Chair Edith Loring-Kuhanga, Peg Orcherton, and Deborah Nohr were recognized for their exemplary dedication to our students, staff and community.
Edith Loring-Kuhanga served the School District for the past seven years. She was the District’s Board Chair for the past four years. She was a strong advocate for fully funded public education and believed all School Boards should be open and transparent. Edith will take her passions with her in her next endeavours. As a member of Gitxsan Nation, Edith has been elected into a four-year position with her band council in Hazelton. She will also continue working as a consultant for the Stein Valley Nlakapamux School in Lytton, BC.
Peg Orcherton served as a School Trustee in the District since 2002, serving a total of five terms. From 2011-2014, she served as Board Chair. Peg always and continues to believe in a funding formula that puts students first. She would often express how all children have the right to access the maximum in educational opportunities, regardless of their social or economic circumstances.
Deborah Nohr is a former teacher in the District. She retired to serve as a School Trustee. During her two terms on the Board, she was an advocate for proper funding for students and schools, and equality in education.
Aboriginal Operational Plan
The Board of Education passed a motion to create an Aboriginal Education Ad Hoc Committee to develop an Aboriginal Operational Plan. The Operational Plan will align with the goals in the District’s Strategic Plan, which aims to identify the unique needs of Aboriginal Learners and build on their strengths. The plan will also continue the District’s work of actively engaging with Aboriginal communities in our District.
School Police Liaison Officers
In the Superintendent’s report, Shelley Green reported on what schools in the District have and do not have School Police Liaison Officers. As well as the role Police Liaison Officers play in each school.
Physical Restraint and Seclusion Regulation
The Board of Education approved an updated version of Regulation 6164.03 – Physical Restraint and Seclusion that aligns with the Ministry of Education’s provincial guidelines. The new regulation is being submitted to the Ministry and will be implemented by December 31, 2018.
This fall, The Ministry of Education shared the Provincial Guidelines for Physical Restraint and Seclusion in School Settings, directing each Board of Education to refine local policies and create standards that align with provincial guidelines.