Board of Education Highlights
Report from Monday, June 25, 2018
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/
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Victoria High: Planning for the future
The Board of Education has determined a preferred option for seismically upgrading Victoria High School. Trustees directed the Superintendent to submit seismic plans to the Ministry of Education that preserves the building’s heritage, adds capacity for 200 students, and includes a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC).
Full media release for additional details: https://bit.ly/2tHp7wx
Five Year Capital Plan
The 2019/2020 Five Year Capital Plan was approved for submission to the Ministry of Education.
The Capital Plan highlights District’s needs in various areas including seismic, environmental, capacity, and building maintenance.
The Capital Plan continues to outline seismic upgrades as the District’s main priority. The District has requested support for seismic projects at Victoria High School, Shoreline/Craigflower, Braefoot and Cedar Hill. A few other schools are included on the list in anticipation of new seismic standards being introduced. Seismic testing will take place in the fall.
The Tolmie building and Richmond Elementary have also been added to the list for seismic upgrades. The District is considering using these facilities to accommodate student growth in specific areas such as Tillicum and Quadra, which will require additional elementary space in the future.
Due to increasing student enrolment, construction of a new school in the core of the City of Victoria has also been added in the Capital Plan in order to institute a school site acquisition charge on new developments.
Grade 10 Board Authorized Courses
All grade 10 Board Authorized Courses (BAA) were reviewed to align with the grade 10 to 12 provincial curriculum. The courses that were revised include: Athletic Leadership, Community Leadership, Cross Training, Flexible Studies, Learning Strategies, Outdoor Education, Peer Tutoring, Principles of Sport, Strings Fretted Instruments – Ukulele, Symphony Orchestra, Teacher Assistance, English Language Learning Strategies and Beginners English Language Learners.
Once the Ministry approves the course revisions, they will be offered to students.
Mental Health and Mental Wellness
The Board of Education endorsed Mental Health and Mental Wellness as a priority area of focus for the Advocacy Ad Hoc Committee. It directed the committee to develop an action plan and bring it back to a future Education Policy and Directions meeting.
Classroom Pets
Trustees reviewed the draft policy and regulation on classroom pets, which takes into consideration the well-being of animals. The Board voted to share the draft policy and regulation with stakeholders for comment then bring it back to the Board in the fall.