Volume 06 | February 11, 2019

This issue of Board Notes highlights the Feb. 11, 2019 regular meeting of the Board of Education for School District No.73 (Kamloops-Thompson). Expect your next issue of Board Notes after the March 11, 2019 meeting.

EDUCATION TOPIC

Graduation Program The graduation requirements are changing in British Columbia. Rick Kienlein , Director of Instruction, Secondary Learning Services reported on how School District 73 is implementing  graduation program changes  under the direction of the B.C. Ministry of Education that will affect students now in Grade 9, 10, and 11. Read more.

PUBLIC INQUIRIES, PETITIONS AND WRITTEN PRESENTATIONS

Sun Peaks Education Society and PAC Presentation Ross Blakeney and Yolanda Dye detailed the rapid enrollment growth in Sun Peaks and gave an overview of the municipal and community investment in education as part of their request to the Board to approve the addition of two portables for Sept. 2019.

REPORTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Westsyde Elementary School Consultation Update Assistant Superintendent Rob Schoen reported on the public consultation that is now underway regarding the proposed change to the catchment area of David Thompson Elementary School.  The minutes, presentation and transcript of the Jan. 30 meeting have been posted to the website . In addition, all comments submitted to facilitiesinput@sd73.bc.ca have been posted and a frequently asked question page (FAQ) has been created.

Website and Communications Update Communications Manager Diana Skoglund reported that 30 of the 50 school websites are now launched or are close to being ready to go live. Consultation and communications will begin soon for the MYSD73 intranet project with a goal of launching the digital workspace in mid-August.

REPORTS FROM SECRETARY-TREASURER

Amended Annual Budget Bylaw The Board of Education adopted its Amended Annual Budget of $182,527,330 as presented by Trina Cassidy Director of Finance. As per the School Act, the bylaw was read three times for approval, before being submitted to the Ministry of Education for Feb. 28, 2019.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM PUBLIC INQUIRIES

BC Heritage Fairs Society Response Assistant Superintendent Rob Schoen reported on the School District’s ongoing commitment to Heritage Fairs by 1) supporting SD73 five students in attending the Provincial Heritage Fair and 2) by sending a letter to the BC Heritage Fair Society from the Board Chair reiterating the value of the Heritage Fair to learning and calling for support from other jurisdictions across the province.  Kamloops Music Collective Response Secretary-Treasurer Kelvin Stretch addressed the organization’s desire for a memorandum of understanding and is committed to continuing to work with the Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music (KISSM), a valuable education partner, to accommodate their rental needs. International Baccalaureate Program Response Director Rick Kienlein outlined the various initiatives underway to promote the International Baccalaureate Program, including information nights, posting details to the website and social media.

CHAIR REPORT

Trustees on Tour Prior to the regular Board Meeting, Trustees spent the afternoon working on student achievement items, the equity span project and learning the details of the new graduation requirements. Trustees and new administration took part in a tour of District Maintenance and Transportation work sites as part of a familiarization tour. Read more.

MOTIONS

POLICY 1033.1 Video Surveillance.

The next regular meeting public Board Meeting is Monday, March 11, 2019 at 7 pm School Board Office, 1383 9th Avenue, Kamloops