The Board of Education of School District No.5 (Southeast Kootenay) AGENDA - ADVOCACY/EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
April 27, 2021, 9:30 a.m. Cranbrook Board Office Pages
1. COMMENCEMENT OF MEETING
1.1. Call to Order
I want to acknowledge that we have gathered here in the Homelands of the Ktunaxa people.
1.2. Approval of Agenda
1.3. Approval of Minutes 4
2. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS (10 min maximum)
4. REPORTS
4.1. DSAC Report - update from Trustee Bellina
4.2. DPAC Report - Update from Trustee Turner
4.3. Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) - update from Silke Yardley
4.4. Child Care - Update from Alan Rice/Diane Casault
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1. Kootenay Christian Academy Announcement (referred from March 9 Public 9 Board meeting) - Jason Tichauer/Alan Rice
6. ACTION ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
6.1. Marisa Philips recognized at future Board/Committee meeting for her work on Aboriginal Education Logo
6.2. DSAC Initiatives - vaping strategies/approaches, climate change 6.3. Dr. Atwal presenting to P/VP's re vaping at May 27 P/VP meeting
7. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE
7.1. BCSTA Letters to various ministries
7.1.1. President Higginson to Minister Robinson 12
7.1.2. President Higginson to Ministers Fleming and Whiteside 14
7.1.3. President Higginson to Ministers Kang and Whiteside 16
7.1.4. President Higginson to Minister Whiteside re Action on Anti-Black 18 Racism
7.1.5. President Higginson to Minister Whiteside re TRB 20
7.1.6. President Higginson to Ministers Farnworth and Whiteside 22
7.1.7. President Higginson to Ministers Dix and Whiteside 24
7.1.8. President Higginson to Minister Whiteside re moving forward 25
7.1.9. President Higginson to Minister Whiteside re School Life Cycle 26 Funding
7.2. Curriculum support for correction facilities
7.2.1. SD 42 27
7.2.2. SD33 to Minister Whiteside 29
7.2.3. MOE response to President Higginson 31
7.2.4. Minister Fleming to President Higginson 33
7.3. Capital Project Funding
7.3.1. SD 61 35
7.4. Site Land Acquisitions
7.4.1. UBCM to BCSTA 38
7.5. School Life Cycle Funding
7.5.1. SD 69 40
Page 2 of 44 7.6. Mental Health Education
7.6.1. SD 71 41
7.7. Trades Funding
7.7.1. Minister Kang to President Higginson 43
8. ADJOURNMENT
Page 3 of 44
The Board of Education of School District No.5 (Southeast Kootenay) Minutes - Advocacy/Education Committee
February 22, 2021, 9:30 a.m. Meeting via Zoom
Committee Members Trustee Bellina In Attendance: Trustee Whalen Trustee Turner Trustee Ayling
Regrets:
Board/District Staff in Trustee McPhee Attendance: Trustee Johns Trustee Damstrom Trustee Kitt Trustee Lento Silke Yardley, Superintendent Jason Tichauer, Director, Student Learning Diane Casault, Director, Student Learning Jennifer Roberts, District Principal Darcy Verbeurgt, District Principal Alan Rice, Secretary Treasurer Gail Rousseau, Executive Assistant (Recorder) 1. COMMENCEMENT OF MEETING
1.1 Call to Order
I want to acknowledge that we have gathered here in the Homelands of the Ktunaxa people.
The Advocacy/Education Committee Meeting of February 22, 2021 was called to order at 9:32 by Co-Chair Bellina.
1.2 Approval of Agenda
M/S that the agenda of the Advocacy/Education Committee meeting of February 22, 2021 is approved as circulated.
1
Page 4 of 44
1.3 Approval of Minutes
M/S that the minutes of the Advocacy/Education Committee meeting of January 25, 2021 be approved as circulated.
2. BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING - nil
3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
3.1 How Are We Doing Report? - Jason Tichauer
Director Tichauer presented the yearly report produced by the Ministry of Education on Indigenous performance. Highlights included:
almost all of our self-identified students receive support starting to track different categories in relation to the goals in our Enhancement Agreement Indigenous students make up 1/3 of students that have an IEP completion rates – biggest area of success – this is a 6 year completion rate; SD5 always one of top performing districts as far as 6 year completion rate goes bigger gap this year; success went up for all this year Ministry of Education starting to track 5 year completion; they want to know how students are doing without taking the extra time to graduate; no difference this year starting to looking at “how” kids are completing in relation to the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning we do see percentage gaps in the number of kids who are finishing as adult graduates looking at bringing in Indigenous student data and our goals in our Enhancement Agreement into the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning looking at academic gaps – English 12, Math 10, want more academic options looking at Student Learning Survey data and seeing positive and interesting things How Are We Doing Report is public but the student by student results is private as most data is masked.
4. REPORTS
4.1 DSAC Report - Virtual Meeting to be held February 24, 2021
Looking forward to connecting with the students.
4.2 DPAC Report - Trustee Turner
Highlights included:
great attendance at both DPAC and PAC meetings due to Zoom; might be something to consider moving forward most schools have hot lunches now operating under the district’s health and safety protocols PACs are doing more and more online fundraising all school PACs have been responding to staff and students needs during COVID; supporting families who have been affected the most
2
Page 5 of 44
some schools starting to make long-term, 5 year plans in creating outside school yard spaces with equipment like rock circles for outdoor classes and new playground equipment the NDP government is providing grants for inclusive playground equipment.
Discussion:
concern about safety issues with circle rocks with inclement weather – any other schools hear this? Trustee Turner will ask at next meeting rocks are sourced within footprint; composite rocks don’t fit the description of why they have the rocks in the first place; wood circles are used as an alternative at KOES; another option The White Hatter presentations - what is relationship between CBAL and The White Hatter? DPAC has money that they would like to support PACs within a variety of ways i.e., presentations or whatever the district is in need of at the time Trustee Turner did pass comments along to DPAC about The White Hatter and how much Trustees have enjoyed the presentations CHEQ will be presenting to DPAC on April 7; individual community presentations are also being done in all four communities; all four early learning tables have met twice already with CHEQ to develop plans that will be delivered to each community later this Spring; Trustees will be invited to attend both sessions Director Casault will send out link for Trustees to register for the White Hatter.
4.3 Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) - Survey Results, Working Committee Results and Recommendations - Silke Yardley
Superintendent Yardley presented the PowerPoint that was shared with the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning Working Group, led by Director Casault on February 1, 2021. She also shared a summary of the themes that emerged from the survey questions as discussed by the Working Group on that day. The survey was sent to many different partner groups with just under 300 responses received. District management will now divide into three groups, Intellectual Development, Human and Social Development and Career Development using these results as well as other data to come up with recommendations on how to move forward on the Framework for Enhancing Student Learning. The recommendations will be brought back to the Working Group and to the Board in April.
Questions/Comments: professional development and continuous improvement should not only be for staff but for students as well clarification was provided on who the survey was sent to and how they represent SD5; the survey was sent to students, parents, teachers, CUPE, principals/vice- principals, Indigenous community, community partners, district management and exempt staff. 4.4 Child Care - update on Fernie- Alan Rice and Silke Yardley
Secretary-Treasurer Rice gave an update on child care in Fernie. Highlights and discussion included: Board motion to investigate bringing StrongStart programs within our SD5 employee base
3
Page 6 of 44
currently in the process of setting up meetings/calling our coordinators; some anxiety around the timing not easy to hire Early Childhood Educators (ECE) in district, i.e., pay grid and job descriptions; working on this with Unions; when we are dealing with collective agreements need to be cognizant of how we hire we believe this is the best approach for the future looking at the Fernie Learning Center (FLC) this week to look at space and tenants; will give them the heads up this week so they understand Board motion; might be able to still use space as current tenants are not-for-profit make FLC an early learning center only not-for-profit groups are eligible to use SD5 space; discussion needs to happen in the Policy Committee StrongStarts are funded by the Ministry of Education – historically outsourced question about consultation ahead of time? Not-for-profits have yearly renewal in agreements; timely now to have conversation StrongStart programs will continue to have space in our schools need to check with not-for profits – childcare centers will require space in each community; each community will have input on what that looks like
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Policy 3.18 - Scholarships and Awards - Looking for Board representation on District Authority Scholarship presentations - Jason Tichauer
Recommendation A – M/S that Trustee Kitt serve as the Board representative on the 2020/2021 Scholarship Committee and that Trustee Whalen serve as the alternate representative.
Trustee Johns brought up a suggestion to rename the SD5 Top Student (Cranbrook) scholarship to the Dr. Arnold Lowden Scholarship and wondered about the process. A discussion took place. Director Tichauer recommended keeping the flavour of the award, that it is not a generic award.
Recommendation B – M/S that the Board rename the Cranbrook SD5 Top Student award to the “Dr. Arnold Lowden Top Student Award”.
Discussion:
award criteria will focus on citizenship and contribution for the community suggestion to wait until next year as the scholarship packages were already sent out; worried about creating more work at this time MBSS is on board with this change the current criteria for this scholarship is applicable
6. ACTION ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
6.1 DSAC Initiative - Vaping Strategies, approaches
6.2 Invite UBC to present to Board meeting to present EDI/CHEQ trends; invite DPAC and PACs
4
Page 7 of 44
6.3 DSAC involved in Climate Change initiatives/Vaping strategies
6.4 Invite Marisa Phillips to a future Board meeting to recognize her work on the Aboriginal Education Logo - to be invited for April Board meeting – this has now been changed to the April committee day – April 27
6.5 Dr. Atwal's vaping presentation presented to P/VPs - scheduled for April 8
7. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/CORRESPONDENCE
7.1 Trades
7.1.1 SD 47
Receive and file.
Jason Tichauer, Brian Conrad, Frank Lento and Chris Johns working on a letter response to hopefully be done by the next Board meeting.
7.2 Racist School Assignment
7.2.1 BCSTA to Moms Against Racism Canada
Receive and file.
7.3 Budget/Funding
7.3.1 SD 42
Receive and file.
7.4 Executive Compensation Freeze
7.4.1 SD 74
Recommendation C – M/S that the Board write a letter to BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) requesting BCSTA write a letter to the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) asking the Provincial Government to exempt School Districts from the Public Sector Executive Compensation Freeze Policy. This is in recognition of Executive Staff performance, efforts and resiliency in maintaining quality public education during the Pandemic.
Receive and file.
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Advocacy/Education Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
5
Page 8 of 44 Kootenay Christian Academy launching first year of high school graduation program
• TREVOR CRAWLEY • Feb. 3, 2021 1:20 p.m. • COMMUNITY
•
Kootenay Christian Academy is starting a three-year rollout of expanding towards a full graduation program, with Grade 10 registration opening up for the 2021-22 school year.
The next school year will mark the first year of Grade 10 being offered at the school, which currently operates programming for pre-Kindergarten up to Grade 9.
Expanding to Grade 10 and beyond is a result of considerable growth over the last few years, according to KCA principal Wendy Zurrin.
“We have been preparing for the right time to roll out a graduation program at KCA,” said Zurrin. “With our largest Grade 9 class in the history of the school and solid enrollment in both Grade 7 and 8, we are positioned perfectly to launch this program for the 2021-22 school year.”
Zurrin touted the academy’s position in the 2020 provincial rankings from the Fraser Institute, which scored KCA as the top-performing school in Cranbrook based on results compiled from foundation skills testing in various grades.
“The flexible and personalized, student-led learning model offered at KCA prepares students as the next generation of leaders; encouraging them stay engaged with their education”, said Zurrin “Now, we are delighted to serve students through graduation connecting them directly with post-secondary opportunities in pursuit of their diverse talents and abilities.”
KCA programming fulfills BC Ministry of Education curriculum requirements and students are taught by BC Accredited Teachers.
“This launch is the result of lengthy discussion and careful consideration by KCA board and administration,” said KCA Board Vice Chair Jennifer Bird. “We recognize the importance of the program that KCA offers students and look forward to extending our program to Grade 12 in order to better serve Cranbrook and area families.”
Registration is open to the public now and forms can be obtained online at kcacademy.ca.
For more information or to book a tour, please call 250-426-0166 o
Page 9 of 44 Independent Schools in SD5- Funding and Enrollment Report
March, 2021
Enrollment Report
As of Sept 2020:
Kootenay Christian Academy 147 K-9
St. Mary's Catholic School 93 K-6
The Fernie Academy 283 K-12
A'q'amnik School 53 K-6
Sample DL Options Heritage Christian (Kelowna) 4716 K-12
Chek ABC (Nelson) 270 K-12
Notes:
-Both KCA and A’q’amnik have stated plans to increase grade levels. KCA stated through advertisement, A’q’amnik through ʔaq’am Strategic Plan and Educational Jurisdiction.
-SD5 has had students transition to these independent DL programs during the State of Emergency.
-These DL schools have 2 additional funding counts throughout the year
Kindergarten Enrollment in SD5 Public and Private
'Year' 'Public' 'Private' '%Public'
2013 413 73 85.00% 2014 410 82 83.30% 2015 406 78 83.90% 2016 394 70 84.90% 2017 384 64 85.70% 2018 393 62 86.40% 2019 428 80 84.30% 2020 400 71 84.90%
Page 10 of 44
Government Funding for Group 1 Independent Schools
All Independent schools listed above are ‘Group 1’ schools, apart from A’q’amnik
50% of total funding per FTE SD5 receives 20/21 - $5350
Level 1 ($43,000), 2 ($20,400) and 3 ($10,300) same rate as SD5 is funded
DL programs are funded at 50%
Adult Education programs are funded at 50%
Cross Enrollment with ‘brick and mortar’ schools is funded at 50%
Sample Tuition Fees:
Payment Schedule for the 2021/22 School Year (from KCA website)
Yearly tuition First Child $3900 per year Two Children $6080 per year Three of More Children $7630 per year
***Grade 10 students will be required to pay an additional High School program fee of approximately $300.00***
Tuition fees are 100% tax deductible.
Page 11 of 44
February 3, 2021
The Honourable Selina Robinson Minister of Finance PO Box 9048 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Robinson,
Subject: Public Sector Executive Wage Freeze
At the October 24, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members passed the following motion:
“That BCSTA advocate to the BC Public School Employers’ Association, Public Sector Employers’ Council and the Ministry of Finance to exempt the K-12 sector from the Public Sector Executive Compensation Freeze Policy.”
During the summer of 2020, Carole James, then Minister of Finance, announced a public sector executive compensation freeze policy. In comparison to this ask, the bargaining units in the K- 12 sector achieved wage increases of 2% per year through to 2022.
BCSTA’s membership perceives that requesting a compensation freeze when we actively ask leaders in public education to work more and take on additional duties they were formally never assigned in response to this pandemic is inequitable.
While we certainly appreciate the financial impact that COVID-19 has on British Columbia’s budget, we also wish to highlight the success we have had in keeping schools open and safe for students and staff during this time of crisis. The K-12 sector has not only kept schools operating safety during a pandemic, limiting learning loss and minimizing the damage done to student learning while doing so, but has also contributed to a functional economy by keeping this important public service operational.
Due to these considerations, we ask that executive leaders, having played a critical role in preserving public education during this crisis, not be excluded from performance-driven wage considerations.
Page 12 of 44
Thank you for considering this request on behalf of our member boards of education, as well as the districts and communities that they serve.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P1202010.3
CC: Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside John Davison, President and Chief Executive Officer, Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat Alan Chell, Board Chair, BC Public School Employers' Association Deborah Stewart, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Communications, BC Public School Employers' Association BCSTA member boards of education
2 Page 13 of 44
February 3, 2021
The Honourable Rob Fleming The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister of Education PO Box 9055 Prov Stn Govt PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Fleming and Minister Whiteside,
Subject: Safe Routes to Schools as part of the Provincial Active Transportation Strategy
At the October 24, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members passed the following motion:
“That BCSTA work with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on opportunities to include and improve Safe Routes to Schools recommendations as a part of the new provincial Active Transportation Strategy.”
On June 17, 2019, the Province of British Columbia released its Active Transportation Strategy which “provides incentives that encourage safe transportation for all ages and abilities” and encourages “communities, non-profits, health partners and educational institutions to share data with the province and to conduct research and data collection to track increase in mode shift.”
While we appreciate that schools make up only a component of this strategy, it is our objective to highlight the importance of prioritizing safe, active transportation to and from public schools as part of the plan to promote active transportation in B.C.
Transportation to school is already a common concern for many families across the province, and active transportation has the potential to serve as a viable alternative to traditional travel for many. By focusing on addressing options aimed at students, we will also see further benefits related to the strategy come to fruition, including achieving CleanBC goals and improving our students' general health and well-being across the province.
Page 14 of 44
BCSTA is committed to working together with both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that the planning of safe routes to schools is incorporated and prioritized as part of this new active transportation strategy.
Thank you for considering this request on behalf of our member boards of education and the students they serve.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P120209.3
CC: Deputy Minister of Education Scott MacDonald BCSTA member boards of education
2 Page 15 of 44
February 3, 2021
The Honourable Anne Kang The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Education Skills and Training PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt PO Box 9080 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9E2 Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Kang and Minister Whiteside,
Subject: Funding for Trades
At the October 24, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members passed the following motion:
“That BCSTA advocate for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Advanced Education to provide funding for all students under the age of 19 years who have graduated from secondary school to enable them to continue the trades program in which they were enrolled prior to graduation.”
It has been identified by our membership that a lack of funding after secondary school graduation is a barrier for students who wish to complete the trades programs they began in secondary school.
In the past, districts were encouraged to enrol trades students in Grade 13 and the Ministry of Education provided funding for Youth Apprentices. However, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) recently changed the definition of Youth Apprentices, resulting in graduated students under 19 years of age no longer being eligible to receive funding from the ministry to complete their trades programs.
On behalf of our membership, we ask that both the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skill and Training, and the Ministry of Education collaborate to address this learning opportunity gap. Working in trades is a desirable career opportunity for many of B.C.'s young people, and we must lessen barriers to entry and navigate this changing landscape together.
Your support in ensuring students can continue their apprenticeship in trades will keep students from missing out on potential career options and opportunities as they exit the K-12 public school system.
Page 16 of 44
Thank you for considering the request outlined above. We look forward to having a future dialogue on this critical issue with your ministries and are ready to contribute to finding a solution.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P120209.4
CC: Deputy Minister of Education Scott MacDonald BCSTA member boards of education
2 Page 17 of 44
February 10, 2021
The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Whiteside,
Subject: Action on Anti-Black Racism
At the October 24, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members unanimously passed the following motion:
“That BCSTA advocates that the Ministry of Education: • Investigate the root structural causes of anti-Black racism in the education system. • Develop and implement mandatory anti-racism education for staff and students alike. • Create a database to keep track of all incidents of racism in BC School against students and staff. • Take immediate action to incorporate Canadian Black history into the BC K-12 curriculum for the next school year. The revised curriculum would include contributions of Black Canadians and a recognition of the adverse effects of policies and racism on Black Canadians. The curriculum development process would involve fulsome and meaningful consultation with Black-led organizations.”
Boards across our province are actively doing important work in these areas, and we call on you for additional support in dealing with addressing systemic racism in B.C.'s public education system. There is an intense desire for change, and we saw it on display most recently with the emergence of Black Shirt Day and the swift uptake it had across the province. We want to support these goals earnestly and to the best of our ability through collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Simply put, structural racism exists in our schools and remains an issue in our province's public education system. The path to uprooting it is long and full of challenges. Your ministry's Community Roundtable on Anti-Racism, on which BCSTA has participated on, created a starting point for the anti-racism action plan for B.C.'s public schools.
Furthermore, as noted in your joint release on January 15 with Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, you pledged that you "will continue to listen and work collaboratively to ensure we can effectively strengthen the curriculum, further support diversity and add to the global effort to end systemic racism." On behalf of BCSTA's membership, we also pledge to be a part of those actions, and more, in our collective commitment to being anti- racist. As it was succinctly stated in the motion, "Meaningful change will take place when all students see positive representations of themselves in the curriculum; teachers and staff learn how to be anti-racist; and, school districts are able to track and address incidents of racism in B.C. schools." These are our goals.
Page 18 of 44
You have already committed to supporting curriculum changes and resources relating to Canadian Black history, and we are pleased that your January 15 release noted you are working closely with the BC Black History Awareness Society to identify additional resources for teachers and students.
In addition to these announcements, we call on you to establish a database of racism incidents in B.C. schools. A record of incidents will enable our districts to be better informed about what students are experiencing and allow provincial agencies and school districts to provide improved anti-racism education aimed at prevention. Chronicling these incidents would also allow districts to track responses to these issues and highlight areas for improvement.
Thank you for considering this request on behalf of our member boards of education and the students they serve. We look forward to continuing this dialogue with you as we move from words to action.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P1202010.2
CC: Deputy Minister of Education Scott MacDonald BCSTA member boards of education
2 Page 19 of 44
February 10, 2021
The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Whiteside,
Subject: Timelier Response from Teacher Regulation Branch
At the October 24, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members passed the following motion:
“That BCSTA advocate to the Ministry of Education to ensure that credential reviews by the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) are completed on a timelier basis.”
It was once again acknowledged during our most recent Provincial Council meeting that current wait times contribute to recruitment and retention challenges across our province. It was noted that teachers wishing to relocate to B.C. are told they should apply up to a year in advance of when they desire to teach in B.C. This wait time is a deterrent for new, out of province teachers.
Rural and northern B.C. districts heavily rely on recruiting out of province, but it can take the TRB over a year to complete credential reviews for teachers in many cases. Furthermore, once the TRB process is complete, additional procedures continue with the Teacher Qualification Service (TQS), causing new hires to be paid at a base scale as they wait with retroactive pay back not guaranteed. Not only does this prove frustrating for the teachers and hamper recruitment, but the additional workload placed on district staff due to the delays is considerable.
This is a recurring conversation, and while changes have been made in the past, we see that it is largely a continuing issue and contributor to ongoing recruitment me and retention concerns. Should the TRB be able to complete most credential reviews within three months, we would expect to see improvements in these areas.
Page 20 of 44
Thank you for considering this request on behalf of our member boards of education and the students that they serve. We look forward to continuing this conversation and being a part of a solution to attract the finest talent available to teach in our province.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P120209.7
CC: Deputy Minister of Education Scott MacDonald BCSTA member boards of education
2 Page 21 of 44
February 10, 2021
The Honourable Mike Farnworth The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Public Safety and Minister of Education Solicitor General PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt PO Box 9010 Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9E2 Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Farnworth and Minister Whiteside,
Subject: Provincial Funding to Improve Access to Educational Programming in Correctional Facilities
At the October 24, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members passed the following motion:
“That BCSTA request that the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General allocate special-purpose funding to school districts that have correctional facilities in their districts to provide year-round educational services in provincial correctional facilities based on the level of service required in each community.”
It is understood that low literacy and poor education are tied to increased crime rates. BC Corrections currently works with local school districts to assist people under supervision in improving their education. However, the current funding level is based on the funding model for continuing education, which does not allow school districts to maintain a consistent level of staffing to provide the educational services required to address the concerns raised by our membership.
If the desired outcome of rehabilitation is to have individuals re-enter society equipped to function as contributing members of society, then the level of educational programming offered should match that expectation. This can be achieved, in part, by leveraging the assets available to us and providing access to provincial resource programs in school districts where a correctional facility is located.
We are asking that the Ministry of Public Safety and the Ministry of Education collaborate and establish a special purpose fund to address this issue. On behalf of BCSTA and our membership, I wish to invite you to discuss these concerns with us to establish a clear understanding of the need and projected outcomes this funding could have.
Page 22 of 44
Not only would we be taking action to reduce future criminal activity, but we would do so by addressing a segment of the population that is often underserved by the education system by providing them with tools they can utilize to better themselves.
Thank you for considering this request. We look forward to your response
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P120209.5
CC: Deputy Minister of Education Scott MacDonald BCSTA member boards of education
2 Page 23 of 44
March 3, 2021
The Honourable Adrian Dix The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Heath Minister of Education PO Box 9050 Stn Prov Govt PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Dix and Minister Whiteside,
Subject: COVID-19 Vaccine Priority for Workers in the Public Education Sector
At the February 20, 2020 meeting of the BCSTA Provincial Council, representing all 60 boards of education in our province, our members passed the following motion:
“that BCSTA request the Ministry of Health assign high priority to the vaccination of workers in the public education sector when the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available as described in the February 19th update to the COVID-19 Immunization Plan which states “Note: Once additional vaccines are approved and become available, people between the ages of 18 and 64 who are front-line essential workers or work in specific workplaces or industries may be included in the later part of Phase 3.”
Boards of education believe it is critical that the provincial government prioritize public education workers in the weeks ahead as part of the province's immunization plan. School staff are essential to maintaining the functionality of a critical sector that supports our society and economy. They are also responsible for supporting the general health and mental well-being of students. While the current safety precautions have proven to be effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in schools, this measure would add an additional layer of protection to keep schools as safe as possible.
Thank you for considering this request. We look forward to your response and are available to discuss the matter at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Motion: P220219.2
CC: Deputy Minister of Education Scott MacDonald BCSTA member boards of education
Page 24 of 44
March 10, 2021
The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Whiteside,
Subject: Moving Forward after COVID-19
On behalf of British Columbia’s boards of education, please accept this report titled “Moving Forward, Rebuilding Education After COVID-19.”
This short report, written by BCSTA in conjunction with member boards, addresses areas that boards of education feel we will need to focus on in order to effectively mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the young people of B.C.
This document is intended to guide our conversations together as we continue to build on our co-governance relationship through the COVID-19 recovery phase. BCSTA’s board of directors looks forward to discussing the document further in our future conversations.
Huy ch q'u for your time and consideration of the important issues raised in this document.
Kind regards,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Page 25 of 44
March 31, 2021
The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Whiteside,
Subject: School Life Cycle Funding
On behalf of British Columbia’s boards of education, please accept the attached report titled “The Case for Increased School Life Cycle Funding.”
This paper was written by BCSTA’s Capital Working Group with input from every board of education in B.C. The report, endorsed by our board of directors, focuses on the province-wide need to address steadily increasing levels of deferred life cycle maintenance.
Due to a lack of adequate funding for building maintenance, boards of education are currently unable to maintain consistent regular maintenance on school buildings. The implications of this have been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular maintenance for facilities is critical to providing safe, efficient learning environments for children and that this can be best achieved with adequate annual funding.
BCSTA’s board of directors looks forward to discussing the report with you at a future date, and we thank you for your consideration of this important area of concern.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association
Enclosure: Report: The Case for Increased School Life Cycle Funding
CC: Scott MacDonald, Deputy Minister BCSTA member boards of education
Page 26 of 44 Page 27 of 44 Page 28 of 44 April 1, 2021 VIA EMAIL Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education PO Box 9045, Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Honourable Mike Farnworth Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General PO Box 9010 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Ministers Whiteside and Farnworth:
Currently, inmates in Provincial Correctional Centres have access to Continuing Education programs when there is an agreement in place with a local school district. The Ministry of Education currently allocates funding for these programs to school districts based on the funding model for Continuing Education. This results in instability in funding and presents a threat to the continuity of service. The Chilliwack School District has one such arrangement with the Ford Mountain Correctional Centre.
The Continuing Education program at Ford Mountain is currently attached to Kwíyeqel Secondary School and has one district staff member. Since 2011, the program at Ford Mountain has been funded by Chilliwack School District operating dollars and has cost the district an additional $303,000 to maintain, plus overhead costs.
As you are aware, there is a direct link between low literacy rates and high incidents of crime. We know that partnerships between school districts and correctional facilities have great value in that they provide disadvantaged individuals with necessary life skills as well as helping to decrease criminal activity in BC communities.
The Funding Model Working Group Implementation Report for Adult and Continuing Education recognized the precariousness of the current funding model for these Continuing Education programs, acknowledging that recommendation 11 of the K-12 Public Education Funding Review, “may not provide enough support for unique or small programs (e.g., Programs in [provincial] correctional centres).” The working group report recommended possible mitigation strategies, including targeted funding for indigenous adult learners and moving away from the course-based funding to a more stable program-based funding model.
The Chilliwack Board of Education requests that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General allocate sustained special purpose funding to provide year-round educational services in correctional facilities being supported by public school districts. A commitment from government to provide year-round educational services would
Page 29 of 44 make it possible for us to continue to provide potential life and community changing educational opportunities.
I would like to close with some inspiring words from a former Ford Mountain student named Troy who spoke at our public Board Meeting on January 14, 2020: “I remember never feeling like I was stuck…every course was a good challenge…math was all of a sudden a strong suit for me…never in my entire life did I think I would be sitting, laughing, figuring things out.” Troy graduated at Ford Mountain and went on to enrol in the University of the Fraser Valley.
I appreciate your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Willow Reichelt Chair – Board of Education Chilliwack School District #33
C: Mr. Dan Coulter, M.L.A., Chilliwack Ms. Kelli Paddon, M.L.A., Chilliwack-Kent All Boards of Education c/o the BC School Trustees Association Mr. Rohan Arul-pragasam, Interim Superintendent Chilliwack School District Mr. Gerry Slykhuis, Secretary Treasurer Chilliwack School District
Page 30 of 44 Page 31 of 44 Page 32 of 44
March 25, 2021
Stephanie Higginson, President Reference: 300936 British Columbia School Trustees Association 1580 West Broadway, 4th Floor Vancouver BC V6J 5K9
Dear Stephanie Higginson:
Re: Active Transportation and Schools
Thank you for your letter of February 3, 2021, regarding the promotion of active transportation for school children. I am responding on behalf of the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education.
The provincial government shares your interest in encouraging children and families to use active transportation to travel to school. When kids walk, bike or roll to school, they improve their physical and mental health, reduce carbon emissions, and increase road safety in their neighbourhoods.
We recognize that safety is a key consideration in supporting active transportation. Right now, one-third of B.C. school children choose active transportation to get to school. We aim to increase this number by working in partnership with the BC Healthy Communities Society to develop tools and resources for schools, local governments, health authorities and families. As part of this work, eleven schools have been selected to participate in a pilot project called the Active School Travel Pilot Program, which is designed to increase active school commutes. The lessons we learn through this project will help us to encourage more children and families across the province to choose active transportation in the future.
As you may know, our active transportation strategy, Move. Commute. Connect, aims to double the percentage of trips taken by active transportation by 2030. The Active School Travel Pilot Program will help move us closer to that goal. More information about the program, including a link to the BC Healthy Communities Society’s webpage about it, is available in our news release.
…/2
Ministry of Transportation Office of the Minister Mailing Address: and Infrastructure Parliament Buildings Victoria BC V8V 1X4
Page 33 of 44 -2-
To support active transportation, the ministry now includes safer active transportation facilities in all new projects and major highway upgrades whenever possible. Infrastructure can include things such as multi-use pathways and wider shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists. This complements our active transportation infrastructure grants program, which helps Indigenous and local governments develop and improve safe active transportation networks. The program shares the cost of infrastructure projects, such as bicycle/pedestrian overpasses and separated multi-use paths, with local governments. Since 2017, the ministry has invested approximately $35 million in active transportation infrastructure projects through this grant program.
We look forward to working with your organization and with schools to help more children experience the benefits of active transportation. If you have any questions about the pilot program or our work to promote active transportation, please feel free to contact the ministry’s Program Lead, Climate and Active Transportation, Kate Berniaz. She can be reached at 250 419-8544 or at [email protected] and would be pleased to help you.
Thank you again for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
Rob Fleming Minister
Copy to: Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education MLA, New Westminster
Scott MacDonald, Deputy Minister Ministry of Education
Kate Berniaz, Program Lead Climate and Active Transportation
Page 34 of 44
School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) Chair: Jordan Watters, Vice-Chair: Elaine Leonard 556 Boleskine Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 1E8 Trustees: Nicole Duncan, Tom Ferris, Angie Hentze, Phone (250) 475-4106 Fax (250) 475-4112 Diane McNally, Ryan Painter, Rob Paynter, Ann Whiteaker
February 25, 2021
Minister of Education Minister of Finance PO Box 9045 PO Box 9417 STN PROV GOVT STN PROV GOVT Victoria BC V8W 9E2 Victoria BC V8W 9V1 BY E-MAIL: [email protected] BY E-MAIL: [email protected]
ATTENTION: Minister Whiteside ATTENTION: Minister Robinson
Dear Ministers:
RE: Net Zero Capital Project Funding
On February 22nd, 2021, the Board of Education of School District No. 61 (Greater Victoria) passed the following motion:
That the Board of Education of School District No. 6 (Greater Victoria) direct the Chair to write to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, urging them to fully fund net zero capital upgrade and replacement projects, effective immediately.
The BC government recognizes the vital importance of clean energy, and the CleanBC initiative provides a pathway for achieving the Province’s legislated climate targets. CleanBC sets out the following key goal: “By 2032, all new building in B.C. will have an ultra-efficient, net-zero energy
Page 35 of 44 ready design.” Net-zero energy ready building is one that is designed and constructed to achieve net-zero energy performance, which means it produces as much energy as it consumes.
The CleanBC website sets out the following, which our Board of Education lauds as a critically important approach to achieving its climate action goals:
Cleaner public-sector buildings
New schools, hospitals and other facilities continue to be built in B.C. to achieve high levels of environmental performance, meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification or equivalent. On average, these facilities have been designed to perform 40 per cent better than LEED’s reference energy standard.
With this strategy we’re also taking steps to make our existing stock of buildings cleaner, smarter and more energy efficient by taking advantage of the latest proven technologies. Early analysis of net-zero construction shows that savings more than make up for any added costs. As we retrofit older public buildings in communities throughout B.C. we’ll create opportunities for local businesses, Indigenous peoples, professions and trades to develop the new energy step code skills and expertise to retrofit other buildings in their communities. For every one per cent improvement in its energy efficiency, including buildings and vehicles, B.C.’s public sector reduces its energy costs by an estimated $4 million a year.
The Ministry of Education funds major capital projects through districts’ annual 5-year capital plans. Major capital upgrade or replacement projects are funded by government.
Given the current climate emergency, and SD61’s June 2019 climate emergency resolution, it is incumbent on Boards of Education to build major capital projects to a “net zero” standard. Currently “net zero” is at each Board’s cost. For example: In the case of upcoming replacement project in SD61, the cost to bridge the Ministry’s funding to net zero is $2.5 million. This cost is untenable for school districts, and may require diverting funds from classrooms to capital, or further delaying other vital capital projects and repairs.
Throughout the province, districts struggle to finance climate change action. All upgrade and replacement school projects should be net zero ready, regardless of the ability of the district to fund them. It is incumbent upon the province to prioritize schools, as important public sector buildings, to receive these important upgrades.
If we want our students to grow up ready and able to fight the climate battle that they are inheriting, we need to provide them with educational institutions that they are proud to learn in, and prove to them that our generation is willing to put our money where our mouth is. Let’s do something right, and start funding these projects across the province, starting immediately.
Page 36 of 44
Yours sincerely,
Jordan Watters Chair, Board of Education
Cc: Board of Education, School District No. 61 Shelley Green, Superintendent, School District No. 61 Kim Morris, Secretary-Treasurer, School District No. 61 Chuck Morris, Director of Facilities Services, School District No. 61 BC School Districts, via BCSTA
Page 37 of 44
March 5, 2021
Stephanie Higginson President, BC School Trustees Association 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 5K9
Dear President Higginson:
RE: School Site Land Acquisitions: Issues and Solutions
Thank you for sharing the above referenced paper with the Union of BC Municipalities. UBCM welcomed the opportunity to meet with you, your CEO, Mike Roberts as well as the follow up meeting with Mike Murray where we had an opportunity to go through the paper and its recommendations in greater detail.
UBCM values its working relationship with BCSTA through our MOU and appreciates the opportunity to provide our comments. We understand that this paper has not yet been shared with the provincial officials and BCSTA is seeking UBCM feedback in advance.
While we recognize that school districts are challenged with the current process for acquiring land for school sites and funding new schools, we must signal our concerns with the proposed recommendations as outlined within the paper. We had an opportunity to share the paper with local government colleagues so the comments reflect those of staff from both UBCM and local government.
We would note that this is not an issue that affects all regions of the province; it tends to impact areas with high growth, increasing land values and development pressures. We are concerned that the paper is recommending an approach that is province-wide in scope seeking various legislative and regulatory changes, when the problem is limited to specific areas. Consequently, imposing prescriptive legislative and regulatory solutions province- wide is not supportable when trying to fix a problem that is region-based.
Presently, local governments collect development cost charges. One of the paper’s recommendations speaks to local governments expanding DCCs to include the cost of off site serving of new schools. While we appreciate the funding challenges presented to school boards with the current cap on SSACs we are concerned about downloading those costs onto local governments – by legislatively requiring them to collect SSACs and seeking an expansion of DCCs to include off site servicing of new schools.
The paper also suggests that local governments should be encouraged to enter into a purchase agreement wherein the local government front ends the acquisition of a school site designated in an OCP using available SSACs and additional funding from the local government, to be paid back. We would suggest that this is a huge ask of local governments. While there may be some local governments that are willing to entertain these types of purchase agreements, this is not something we can signal our support for
60-10551 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, BC V6X 2W9 525 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8V 0A8 t. 604.270.8226 f. 604.270.9116 ubcm.ca Page 38 of 44 t. 250.356.5133 f. 250.356.5119 ubcm.ca 2 recognizing the financial challenges being faced by our members, especially in the current COVID environment.
Currently, UBCM is undertaking a process to examine the limited financial resources available to local governments, primarily property taxation, to meet the growing demands for services and programs for our residents. Part of our work will look at opportunities for new revenue sources to help us meet these financial pressures that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Asking local governments to take on additional responsibilities with respect to school sites, when education is a provincial responsibility, would not be supported by our membership and could be construed as downloading.
Earlier I spoke about the paper’s very prescriptive approach whereby local governments would be required by legislative and regulatory changes to undertake certain actions to address this problem. We note that legislative and regulatory changes are permanent and create an environment that is not amenable to addressing the uniqueness and diversity of BC communities. The current pandemic has created a novel situation where we are seeing significant shifts in how people work, live and recreate. We are already seeing population shifts from urban to rural areas recognizing that in this remote work environment people are no longer having to live in the same area where they work. This could lead to a whole new dynamic in terms of shifting populations and where schools are needed, and no longer needed in the future.
While UBCM is not able to signal our support for the recommendations proposed, we acknowledge that this is a problem for some regions of the province and the issues has been raised at the joint provincial working group on development finance. Has BCSTA considered other options that would free up financial resources for school districts to address school site acquisition? For example how is surplus school property being used and are there other opportunities to re-use or re-purpose those sites to the financial advantage of school districts?
I also believe there are opportunities for UBCM and BCSTA to work together to encourage our memberships to establish better communication and consultation methods locally so that a more coordinated approach can be taken to addressing school site planning and land acquisitions thereby alleviating some of current pressures that are being felt. Also, I understand that BCSTA has established a code of conduct for your members. UBCM is presently undertaking work in this area and our staff would be interested in learning more about your process and how the code of conduct is being received by your members.
Again, thank you for sharing this discussion paper with us and please feel free to reach out if you wish to discuss further.
Yours truly,
Brian Frenkel UBCM President cc: Mike Roberts, CEO, BCSTA Mike Murray, BCSTA Board member
Page 39 of 44
SCHOOL DISTRICT No.69 (QUALICUM)
March 1, 2021
Stephanie Higginson, President via email: [email protected] BC School Trustees Association 1580 Broadway Vancouver, BC V6J 5K9
Dear Stephanie Higginson:
At its recent Board meeting of February 23, 2021, the Board of Education of School District 69 (Qualicum) passed the following motion:
THAT the Board of Education of School District 69 (Qualicum) write a letter of support for the BC School Trustees Association’s recommendations to the Government of British Columbia for increased school life cycle funding.
The information gathered and presented in The Case for Increased School Life Cycle Funding Report is certainly compelling evidence that the system is underfunded for capital planning purposes and has been for some time.
Our Board and Senior Staff also plan to meet with our two new area MLA’s in the near future and this issue will most certainly be on our list of discussion topics.
We look forward to assisting the BCSTA Board with advocacy efforts at the local.
Sincerely,
Eve Flynn, Board Chair c: Board of Education SD69 Keven Elder, Superintendent of Schools Ron Amos, Secretary Treasurer Chris Dempster, General Manager of Operations, SD69 BC Boards of Education (via BCSTA)
File: 0530-01 BoE
PO Box 430, 100 Jensen Ave. East, Parksville, B.C. V9P 2G5 Phone (250) 248-4241 Fax (250) 248-5767 www.sd69.bc.ca Page 40 of 44 Comox Valley Schools School District No. 71 Board of Education
607 Cumberland Road Courtenay, B.C. V9N 7G5 Fax (250) 334 5552 Telephone (250) 334 5500
VIA E-MAIL ONLY: [email protected]
March 23, 2021
The Honourable Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Education PO Box 9045 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Dear Minister Whiteside,
The Board of Education of School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) is writing to request that the Ministry of Education consider enhancing mental health education and services for all K-12 students and to provide school districts with the necessary resources and funding to support the students and staff.
When we talk about mental health, we often refer to anxiety, depression and suicidal concerns. However, mental health is not only about those mental health issues, but also about other disorders that are likewise devasting for students and their families. For example, the rise in eating disorders in younger children and adults is just one of the many serious mental health challenges children and young adults face today. Studies have shown that mental illness affects children at increasingly younger ages. We need to expand mental health literacy with resources that will inform, support and encourage all students to ask for help when they need it. The district appreciates the current targeted funding, however, additional cross-ministry, wrap around mental health supports are clearly needed.
Comox Valley Schools held an Island Health Medical Officers Town Hall meeting virtually on March 4, 2021. Island Health’s Medical Health Officer, Dr. Charmaine Enns said that, “We anticipate that it's probably going to take our youth and our young adults about ten years to recover from the impacts of this past year. Their life has been put on hold, their life interrupted,
Page 41 of 44 they're not in school, this includes university students and the impact has been profound, far more profound than COVID itself.” In response to the rising needs, it is important that the Ministry of Education along with school districts, ensure that the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff remains a priority. This focus will take funding, resources and training; thus, we ask the Ministry of Education to consider additional K-12 mental health supports.
Respectfully,
Sheila McDonnell Board Chair The Board of Education of School District No. 71 (Comox Valley)
SM:ml
cc: BCSTA
Page 42 of 44
March 26, 2021 Our Ref. 120946
Stephanie Higginson President British Columbia School Trustees Association 4th Floor – 1580 W. Broadway Vancouver BC V6J 5K9 Email Address: c/o [email protected]
Dear Stephanie Higginson:
Thank you for your letter on behalf of the British Columbia School Trustee Association (BCSTA), regarding funding for trades students under 19 years of age who have graduated from secondary school. I apologize for the delayed response.
I appreciate the BCSTA’s commitment to lessening barriers for young adults to pursue a career in the trades. An educated and skilled workforce is key to ensuring the success of British Columbia, particularly in these uncertain times.
As your letter was also sent to my colleague, the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education, I will focus my response on your concerns related to trades training which falls within my mandate as Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
Your letter suggests that the Industry Training Authority (ITA) recently changed the definition of Youth Apprentices and eligibility for program funding for youth. I assure you that this is not the case. ITA has not changed its policies and continues to provide programs that support youth to access the trades after graduation. I recommend that anyone interested in pursing a career in the skilled trades contact an ITA Apprenticeship Advisor to discuss their career options. Apprenticeship Advisors are located in all regions of the province and can be reached through ITA’s Apprenticeship Advisors webpage.
Currently, my Ministry supports ITA Pre-Apprenticeship programs for Women, Indigenous People and Equity Seeking Groups, which includes youth, so they can access the trades. Information about these programs can be found here.
…/2
Ministry of Office of the Mailing Address: Location: Advanced Education Minister PO Box 9080 Stn Prov Govt Parliament Buildings Victoria BC V8W 9E2 Victoria and Skills Training Page 43 of 44
-2-
In addition, a number of trades training programs are eligible for the B.C. Access Grant through StudentAidBC which provides loans to attend post-secondary institutions. Since August 2020, all students applying for student loans are automatically assessed for the B.C. Access Grant, up to $4000 a year per student. You will find more information on the B.C. Access Grant at StudentAidBC.
My Ministry continues to work with the ITA to support British Columbians to access trades training and employment opportunities, and the information you have provided is very helpful.
Thank you again for writing to me.
Sincerely,
Honourable Anne Kang Minister
Pc: Honourable Jennifer Whiteside [email protected] Minister of Education
Mr. Scott MacDonald, Deputy Minister [email protected] Ministry of Education
Page 44 of 44